HAL To Begin production of Rafale Combat Jets

According to published reports, India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to manufacture the Dassault Rafale. The combat jet has been chosen by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its $10.4 billion order for 126 planes. Chairman and Managing Director P.V. Deshmukh of HAL, told indiastrategic.in that the company had already earmarked its own land near Bangalore, where it is headquartered, to produce some of the aircraft's major components and integrate the overall aircraft and systems. While the first 18 aircrafts will arrive in fly-away condition in the next three years, HAL will steadily start producing the fuselage and other parts from the raw materials with assistance from Dassault engineers. The remaining 108 aircraft would initially be progressively manufactured from SKD (semi- knocked-down) and CKD (completely knocked-down) kits. Deshmukh was quoted as saying that over the next 10 years, the Rafale project should generate business approximating $4-5 billion. He also reportedly disclosed that HAL already had MoUs with Dassault and engine-maker Snecma to produce some of the designated parts. "HAL has been preparing for the MMRCA project in terms of allocation of funds and organizational changes needed to launch and deliver the MMRCA project targets on time," he was quoted as saying.