Reliance Infrastructure Ltd’s subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure, has signed an agreement with France’s Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India, with the first batch expected to roll out from its Nagpur facility by 2028. This marks the first time a Falcon aircraft will be entirely built outside France.The announcement sent Reliance Infrastructure shares surging, hitting the 5 per cent upper circuit on the BSE. Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group, hailed the agreement as a “symbol of India’s technological and manufacturing strength”, adding that it aims to position India as a critical aerospace hub globally.Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier confirmed that this is a firm step toward the company’s ‘Make in India’ commitment and will increase India’s recognition as a key global partner in aerospace manufacturing. Dassault also plans to expand its India workforce with new engineering hires.The companies already run Dassault Reliance Aviation Ltd (DRAL), a joint venture established in 2017, which manufactures cockpit and structural parts for Falcon jets. DRAL is set to evolve into a centre of excellence for the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X models, Dassault’s first such hub outside France.Under the new plan, assembly of the Falcon 2000’s wings and fuselage and the front sections of Falcon 6X and 8X will shift to India. Dassault intends to export the India-made jets for both civil and military use, enhancing India’s global aerospace footprint.Aerospace consultancy CAPA India termed the development a “major step” in bringing civil aerospace manufacturing to India, aligning with similar ventures like the Tata-Airbus JV for C-295 aircraft, Tata Boeing Aerospace for Apache and Chinook helicopters, and the Adani-Elbit JV for UAV production.Dassault’s 2024 annual report confirmed plans to boost local production in line with Make in India goals. It is also expanding its Indian supply chain, with local subcontractors making components like Falcon 6X fuel tanks, primary parts, and a titanium foundry.