Hical Technologies, Safran Explore JV for Rafale Systems in India

Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems sign an MoU to explore an India-based joint venture for manufacturing complex Rafale fluid and fuel systems, strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities and the Make in India ecosystem.

Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Safran Aerosystems to explore the creation of a joint venture for manufacturing complex systems for the Dassault Rafale programme in India. The proposed partnership focuses on producing sophisticated equipment, including complex fluid and fuel systems and related assemblies, under the Make in India initiative.

The proposed joint venture reflects the expanding role of Indian private-sector companies in global aerospace and defence supply chains. It also supports Safran Aerosystems’ efforts to deepen cooperation with Indian manufacturing partners and develop capabilities for producing increasingly sophisticated aircraft systems within the country.

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Safran Aerosystems says Hical’s expanding manufacturing capacity is important for meeting the quality, scale and technical requirements associated with programmes such as Rafale. The company’s new aerospace manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru, is expected to support the production of complex fuel and fluid systems and other critical equipment.

The MoU builds on Hical Technologies’ existing involvement in the Rafale ecosystem. The company is already selected to work directly with Dassault Aviation on control systems for the Rafale programme. The proposed joint venture would allow Hical to expand its role into more complex systems and assemblies, strengthening its position in the aerospace value chain.

The development comes as Hical expands its aerospace manufacturing footprint. The company recently inaugurates its new facility in Devanahalli as part of a broader strategy to build greater manufacturing scale and technical depth for advanced aerospace and defence programmes. The expansion is intended to support both Indian and international customers from manufacturing operations in India.

Hical Managing Director Yashas Jaiveer says the MoU marks an important step as the company moves into complex systems manufacturing for advanced aerospace platforms. The proposed collaboration combines Safran Aerosystems’ technology capabilities with Hical’s growing manufacturing infrastructure to support the production of critical aerospace systems in India for global markets.

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For India, the proposed partnership strengthens domestic capabilities in high-precision aerospace manufacturing and supports the broader objective of increasing Indian industry’s participation in global defence supply chains. It also creates an opportunity to develop expertise in complex aircraft systems while increasing the local manufacturing content associated with the Rafale programme.

The proposed Hical-Safran venture therefore adds another layer to India-France aerospace cooperation, with the two companies exploring deeper industrial collaboration in critical aircraft systems. The initiative also reinforces India’s ambitions to develop an advanced aerospace manufacturing ecosystem capable of serving both domestic programmes and global markets.