French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has announced a significant expansion of its India operations with the inauguration of new premises for the Dassault Aircraft Services India – Engineering Centre in Pune, Maharashtra. In a statement, the company said the move aligns with its ongoing efforts to fulfil commitments under India’s ‘Make in India’ policy. The new facility marks another milestone in Dassault Aviation’s long-term partnership with the country’s growing aerospace and defence ecosystem. According to the company, the expansion will double the Engineering Centre’s capacity, enabling it to accommodate more than 150 engineers. Dassault stated that this expansion demonstrates its determination to develop advanced technological capabilities and nurture local expertise — both for its internal operations and for its Indian and global supply chains. The expanded Pune facility forms a key part of Dassault’s strategy to strengthen local design, engineering, and industrial capabilities, while deepening collaboration with Indian partners and suppliers. The company added that the move also reinforces its offset commitments under the Rafale contract with the Indian Air Force. “This initiative underlines Dassault Aviation’s strong commitment to the Indian market and its offset obligations under the Rafale programme,” the statement said. The Pune Engineering Centre is a crucial element of Dassault’s wider industrial footprint in India, which spans manufacturing, maintenance, and technology transfer partnerships. The expansion comes at a time when India is pursuing greater defence indigenisation and enhanced private-sector participation in high-technology defence production. Dassault’s growing presence in India not only supports domestic aerospace capability-building but also reflects a shared vision for long-term industrial collaboration and technological self-reliance.