Dassault to Set Up Maintenance Facility in Noida For Mirage, Rafale Jets

New Delhi: French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation is set to open a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Noida, aimed at servicing French-origin fighter jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to defence officials, as reported by ANI.

The Indian Air Force operates approximately 50 Mirage-2000 aircraft, introduced in the 1980s, alongside 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired in recent years.

Dassault Aviation has informed India’s Defence Ministry and the IAF of plans to establish Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI). The facility will provide maintenance and repair services for the IAF’s fleet of French-origin jets. The initiative aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) vision and the MRO facility will be located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

The new company will be headed by Posina Venkata Rao, an experienced Dassault representative in India and will employ both French and Indian professionals. Dassault plans to gradually expand the MRO operations at DAMROI in collaboration with India’s aeronautical industry.

In addition to the Mirage and Rafale jets, the facility could potentially service the IAF’s ageing fleet of Jaguar deep penetration fighter jets, which also have French connections.

Dassault is also negotiating with the Indian Navy to sell 26 Rafale Marine jets for deployment on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.