Reliance Infrastructure arm, Dassault to make Falcon 2000 business jets in India

French aerospace firm behind the iconic Rafale and Mirage aircraft Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL)—a subsidiary of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Ltd—to make Falcon 2000 LXS business jets in India.

The announcement, made at the Paris Air Show, marks the first time Dassault will produce Falcon 2000 jets outside France.

The final assembly line will be housed at Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) in MIHAN, Nagpur, Maharashtra, with the first “Made in India” Falcon 2000 expected to take flight by 2028.

The initiative firmly positions India as a global hub for high-end business jet manufacturing, placing it alongside the US , France, Canada, and Brazil—countries with long-standing capabilities in this domain, the company said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, Dassault will shift full fuselage and wing assembly operations to RAL, which will also undergo significant facility upgrades.

DRAL is set to become the first Center of Excellence (CoE) for the Falcon series outside France, laying the groundwork for future assembly programs of the Falcon 6X and 8X.

Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said, “This new agreement, which will make DRAL the first center of excellence for Falcon assembly outside France and which will eventually enable the establishment of a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000, illustrates, once again, our firm intent to meet our ‘Make in India’ commitments, and to contribute to the recognition of India as a major partner in the global aerospace supply chain.”

Trappier added that this partnership accelerates the ramp-up of DRAL, in line with the strategic vision shared with Dassault’s partner, Reliance.

Anil D. Ambani, founder chairman of Reliance Group, said, “Our partnership with Dassault Aviation for manufacturing Falcon Business Jets in India is a defining moment for the country, the aviation industry, and the Reliance Group.” He added that this partnership will help position India as a key force in the global aerospace value chain.

Formed in 2017, Dassault-Reliance joint venture DRAL operates a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in MIHAN, Nagpur. Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019, the company has completed more than 100 major subsections for the aircraft, becoming an essential part of the Falcon global supply chain.

The partnership is expected to generate several hundred engineering and technical jobs over the next decade, further enhancing India’s manufacturing base and integration into global aviation networks.

Dassault will also transfer the front section assembly of the Falcon 8X and 6X to DRAL, in addition to the wings and full fuselage assembly of the Falcon 2000.

With more than 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered—including 2,700 Falcons across over 90 countries—Dassault Aviation is globally recognized for its capabilities in designing, producing, and supporting a wide range of aircraft, from Rafale fighters and Falcon business jets to military drones and space systems.

In 2024, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of €6.2 billion ($6.7 billion) and employed 14,600 people.

The Reliance Group, anchored by Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Reliance Power Limited, reports a net worth and annual turnover of €3.3 billion ($3.56 billion; ₹33,000 crore) and a market capitalization of €4.5 billion ($4.86 billion; ₹45,000 crore), with over 4 million shareholders.