Dassault Aviation to set up MRO facility in Noida for Mirage-2000, Rafale jets: Report

In a strategic move to enhance India’s defence capabilities, Dassault Aviation is setting up a dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to service the Indian Air Force's fleet of French-origin fighter jets.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates around 50 Mirage-2000 jets, introduced in the 1980s, alongside 36 Rafale aircraft that were recently inducted into service.

ANI quoting defence sources said that Dassault has formed a new Indian entity named Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), which will oversee the maintenance and servicing of these fighter jets. The new company was announced after discussions with the Union Defence Ministry and IAF, ANI reported.

'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative

The MRO facility aligns with India’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, aimed at boosting domestic self-reliance in defence manufacturing and services. Dassault’s facility will be located in one of Noida’s industrial sectors, enhancing the local aeronautical ecosystem.

Posina Venkata Rao, an Indian national with long-standing ties to Dassault Aviation, will serve as CEO of DAMROI. Rao has been an instrumental figure in Dassault's Indian operations for decades and will lead a team comprising both Indian and French personnel.

Support for French-origin jets

As part of its long-term strategy, the French aircraft maker plans to gradually expand the MRO operations at DAMROI in collaboration with the Indian aerospace industry. This expansion will significantly boost the support available for the IAF Mirage-2000 and Rafale jets, as well as other French-origin aircraft.

Additionally, Dassault’s MRO facility may extend its services to India's ageing fleet of Jaguar deep-penetration fighter jets, which also have French origins. Meanwhile, Dassault is said to be currently holding negotiations with the Indian Navy to supply Rafale Marine jets.