Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace company behind the Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter jets, is setting up a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. This significant development aims to bolster the operational readiness of India’s fleet of French-origin fighter jets, enhancing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) and Navy’s capabilities. The facility will be located near Jewar International Airport in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, strategically positioned to serve both the IAF and the Indian Navy.
The new MRO facility will cater primarily to the Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter jets, two of India’s most advanced military aircraft. The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale jets, acquired in a landmark deal in 2016, and around 50 Mirage-2000 jets, which have been a critical part of the IAF’s arsenal since the 1980s. The Mirage-2000, in particular, has seen several upgrades over the years, ensuring its continued relevance in modern warfare.
This MRO facility will significantly reduce India‘s dependence on foreign services for maintaining these fighter jets. Until now, Indian forces had to send these aircraft abroad for repairs and overhauls, causing delays and high costs. With the new facility, Dassault aims to streamline maintenance, improve response times, and ensure the jets remain combat-ready at all times. This initiative is part of India’s broader push for self-reliance in defense production, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The facility will also extend its services to the Indian Navy, which has recently been negotiating the purchase of 26 Rafale-M carrier-based fighter jets, further integrating Rafale’s capabilities across different branches of India’s military. This MRO setup is expected to serve both the IAF’s land-based Rafales and the Navy’s Rafale-M fighters, enhancing operational coordination between the two forces.
An Indian national will head the new venture, demonstrating Dassault’s commitment to involving local expertise in its operations. This decision not only fosters deeper cooperation between India and France but also ensures the transfer of technical know-how to Indian professionals, bolstering India’s defense ecosystem.
Also read: India, France In Negotiations For 26 Rafale Marine Fighter Aircraft Deal For Indian Navy
In addition to Dassault’s MRO venture, Safran, another major French aerospace company, plans to establish a facility in Hyderabad to service Rafale engines. Safran’s role in this project may expand further if more Rafale jets are ordered by India, potentially leading to localized engine production in India.
This MRO setup is a key strategic step that could pave the way for future collaborations, including potential manufacturing of Rafale jets and components in India, should Dassault win the ongoing Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) contest, where 114 new jets are being considered for procurement.
