Hical and Safran Partner to Build Rafale Systems in India

UPDATE - follow-up to Hical Technologies' Rafale JV: India's aerospace future just got real!: Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems have signed an MoU to explore a joint venture for making complex Rafale systems in India. The proposed joint venture will focus on producing sophisticated equipment, such as complex fluid and fuel systems and related assemblies, for Rafale aircraft under the Make in India initiative.

Leadership Quotes

Joel Berkoukchi, CEO of the Fluid & Fuel Systems Division at Safran Aerosystems, stated that the partnership reflects the company's ongoing commitment to India and its private-sector aerospace ecosystem. Berkoukchi noted that Hical's expanding capacity and new facility in Devanahalli will help support the advanced manufacturing needs for complex fuel and fluid systems. Meanwhile, Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director of Hical Technologies, called the MoU an important milestone for moving into complex systems manufacturing for demanding aerospace platforms.

Industry Growth

The announcement comes alongside the inauguration of Hical's new aerospace manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru. Hical is already working directly with Dassault Aviation on control systems for the Rafale programme. Based in Bengaluru, Hical specialises in high-precision electromechanical systems and supports India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Context

India has increasingly pushed to manufacture defense equipment locally to reduce its reliance on foreign imports and build a domestic industrial base. Partnerships between Indian private firms and global defense companies help transfer advanced aerospace technology and integrate local suppliers into international supply chains.