New Delhi | Reliance Infrastructure arm Reliance Aerostructure (RAL) and Dassault Aviation on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000 business executive jets in India for global markets The announcement was made at the Paris Air Show.

The partnership represents a significant step in advancing India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities, a company statement said.

Dassault Aviation will, for the first time, manufacture Falcon 2000 jets outside France, it said.

The joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure -AL was established in 2017.

AL will also become the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Falcon series, including Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X assembly programs for Dassault Aviation, the first such CoE outside France.

The state-of-the-art, final assembly line for Falcon 2000 jets will be established in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation said, “This new agreement, which will makeAL the first centre 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." Anil D Ambani, Founder Chairman, Reliance Group said, "Our partnership with Dassault Aviation represents a landmark in Reliance Group's journey, as we work together to firmly position India as a vital hub in the global aerospace value chain." Dassault Aviation will also transfer the assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, in addition to the wings and complete fuselage assembly of Falcon 2000 toAL.

The transfer of assembly operations combined with major facility upgrades will pave the way for the first flight of Falcon 2000 ‘Made in India' from Indian soil by 2028, the statement said.

The new final assembly line will cater to the rising demand in Indian and international markets.

Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019,AL has assembled over 100 major sub-sections for the Falcon 2000, underscoring its world-class precision manufacturing capabilities and playing an integral role in Falcon global production program, the statement said. PTI KKS

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