The Dassault Maintenance and Repair Organisation, India (DAMROI), is opening a new maintenance hub in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This facility will provide a major boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by servicing their Mirage-2000 and Rafale fighter jets, offering quicker and more affordable turnaround times.
Benefits for the Indian Air Force
– Faster Service: The new hub will allow the IAF to have its Mirage-2000 and Rafale fighters serviced locally in Noida, rather than sending them to France. This will speed up maintenance and reduce costs.
– Current Fleet: The IAF operates around 50 Mirage-2000 fighters and recently acquired two squadrons of 36 Rafales. More Rafales may be purchased in the future as the IAF plans to expand its fleet.
Wider Impact
– Support for Friendly Nations: Countries that also operate Mirage-2000 and Rafale fighters, like Greece, Egypt, and Qatar, will now have the option to get their aircraft serviced in Noida instead of France.
– Industrial Growth: DAMROI’s new hub is expected to spur the development of a local industrial ecosystem, creating jobs in aviation and related sectors. This initiative comes as part of a broader push to attract international investment and encourage more companies to set up Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India.
The DAMROI facility marks a significant step forward in India’s defense capabilities and could set a precedent for other global aviation companies to establish MRO operations in the country.