Rafale International to reaffirm its commitment to India

Bengaluru, Feb 2

Rafale International will once again exhibit at Asia’s premier air show, Aero India 2021, held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Karnataka, from 03 to 05 February 2021. This participation is consistent with Rafale International’s endeavor to demonstrate its continued commitment to India and to Indian defence interests.

On its booth B3.1, located Hall B, Rafale International will display a scale 1:5 Rafale mock up with the Indian colors to pay tribute to the induction of the aircraft in the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force Rafale Handover to the Government of India was held on October 8, 2019. On July 27th 2020, the first ferry of five Indian Air Force Rafale operated by Indian Air Force pilots took off from Dassault Aviation Mérignac facility to Ambala Air Force Station for entering service in N°17 Squadron “Golden Arrows”.

A Rafale M (Rafale naval variant ) mock up at scale 1:10 will also be displayed to present capabilities of this  Rafale variant taking part in the tender of 57 aircraft to equip Indian Navy aircraft carriers.

This massive Rafale presentation illustrates the determination of Rafale International to take part in the Indian Forces preparedness and its commitment to meet all future additional fighter aircraft needs. 

At last but not least, a scale 1:10 Mirage 2000 I/TI mockup will show the Mirage 2000 , the legendary spearhead aircraft of the Indian Air Force upgraded with HAL .

In complement of the fighter aircraft expertise, a space dedicated to the “Make in India” achievements of Dassault Aviation illustrates the implementation of the offsets obligations in line with the contractual commitments, not to mention several ambitious projects with the DRDO and other partners. This part of the booth will present, after the first Falcon 2000 cockpit front section revealed at Aero India 2019, major pieces of Rafale engine doors and Rafale rudder manufactured in the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) 15000 square meters facility in Nagpur.

 

These achievements highlight Dassault Aviation’s full commitment to build up an Indian aerospace manufacturing eco-system, both in civil and military fields, matching the highest standards in this field and positioning India as an international reference in the global aerospace market.

It demonstrates the company’s mobilization to establish in India state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with innovative technologies as well as best-in-class international aeronautical standards in terms of efficiency in production and competitiveness. 

Larger infrastructures are currently being developed and will allow the ramp-up of DRAL capabilities towards the taking-off of an entire line of Falcon 2000 manufactured and assembled in India.

More importantly this paves the way for a full Make in India of the Rafale should India decide to proceed with additional acquisitions to fulfill the needs of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

“The technological know-how and competences of Dassault Aviation and its partners, Thales and Safran Aircraft Engines are entirely dedicated to partner India in meeting its strategic defence and economic needs. Participating at Aero India and more widely, establishing ourselves in India with a view to developing wide-ranging cooperation under the “Make in India” policy, means renewing our vows with India after more than six decades of common history and a bright future ahead.  ” Said Eric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation.