Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Infrastructure sealed a landmark strategic partnership with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business executive jets in India for the global markets, the companies said on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. They announced the partnership at the Paris Air Show.

Dassault planned to produce Falcon 2000 jets outside France for the first time. The collaboration will set up a final assembly line for the aircraft in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This marks a major step forward in India's aerospace manufacturing capability.

The firms stated, “Dassault Aviation and Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL), today at the Paris Air Show announced a landmark strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000 business executive jets in India for the global markets.”

Dassault Aviation developed the Falcon 2000 as a twin-engine business jet. It typically accommodates 8 to 10 passengers.

Dassault Aviation delivered over 10,000 military and civil aircraft, including 2,700 Falcons, in more than 90 countries over the past century. The company built a globally recognised expertise in designing, producing, selling, and supporting various aircraft, including the Rafale fighter, the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones, and space systems.

Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Limited established their joint venture, DRAL, in 2017. They launched operations that same year with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Mihan, Nagpur.

Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019, DRAL has assembled over 100 major sub-sections for the Falcon 2000. This highlights its world-class precision manufacturing capabilities and its integral role in the global Falcon production program.

The partnership marks a significant step in enhancing India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

The statement states, “This pioneering initiative will see India emerge as a strategic centre for high-end business jet manufacturing.” It added, “It marks a historic moment for Indian aerospace and manufacturing industry, as the landmark agreement paves the way for India’s entry into the elite club of countries producing next-generation business jets, alongside the United States, France, Canada, and Brazil.”

Dassault Aviation designated DRAL as the centre of excellence (CoE) for the Falcon series, including the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X assembly programs. This became the first such CoE outside France.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said, “This new agreement, which will make DRAL 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.”

He added that this agreement marked the ramp-up of DRAL in line with the strategic vision Dassault shared with Reliance in 2017, and said it was a testament to Dassault’s unwavering belief in its future in India and its service to India.

Anil D. Ambani, founder chairman of 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.”

He said the 'Made in India' Falcon 2000 would stand as a proud symbol of the nation's technological prowess and manufacturing excellence.

Dassault Aviation also committed to transferring the assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X to DRAL. It would also shift the wings and complete fuselage assembly of Falcon 2000 to DRAL. Dassault combined these plans with major facility upgrades to enable the first flight of the 'Made in India' Falcon 2000 from Indian soil by 2028.

The final assembly line would meet the growing demand in Indian and global markets.

Falcon business jets built a strong presence in India’s corporate and charter aviation sector. Customers trusted the aircraft for its performance, comfort, and operational efficiency.

DRAL plans to hire several hundred engineers and technicians over the next decade to support its expanding operations. This underscores Dassault Aviation’s deep commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the country’s emergence as a global centre of excellence for high-precision aviation production.