Dassault Aviation-Hical-Technologies Contract Signing Ceremony.
Dassault Aviation-Hical Technologies Contract for Rafale Aircraft Control Systems: Bengaluru — French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has awarded a long-term manufacturing contract to Indian aerospace firm Hical Technologies for the production of high-precision control system assemblies used in the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.
The agreement, announced on March 9, 2026, marks a major milestone in India’s growing participation in global aerospace manufacturing. Under the contract, the Bengaluru-based company will manufacture and supply mission-critical electromechanical assemblies that are integral to the aircraft’s advanced flight and control systems.
The development signals an expansion of India’s role in international aerospace supply chains beyond assembly work, positioning domestic firms as producers of complex, high-value components for advanced military aircraft.
Expanding India’s footprint in global aerospace manufacturing
According to a joint statement released by the companies, Hical Technologies will produce specialised control system assemblies that must meet the stringent engineering, reliability and qualification standards set by Dassault Aviation.
These systems are essential to ensuring the precise operation of the Rafale’s advanced avionics and control architecture, which enable the aircraft to perform a wide range of missions including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance and maritime strike.
The contract represents a significant endorsement of the capabilities developed by India’s private aerospace manufacturing sector in recent years.
Industry observers note that such agreements demonstrate increasing confidence among global original equipment manufacturers in India’s ability to deliver highly specialised aerospace components that require tight tolerances and rigorous quality assurance processes.
Senior executives from both companies formalised the agreement during a signing ceremony attended by Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director of Hical Technologies, and Bruno Coiffier, Senior Executive Vice President for Procurement and Purchasing at Dassault Aviation.
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Dassault-Hical Technologies: Strategic recognition of Indian engineering capability
Speaking on the occasion, Bruno Coiffier highlighted Hical’s commitment to maintaining high manufacturing standards.
“Hical Technologies has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality and reliability, values that strongly align with Dassault Aviation’s heritage of excellence,” he said.
For Hical Technologies, the contract represents the culmination of years of investment in engineering capabilities and advanced manufacturing processes.
“This milestone is a testament to the years of engineering investment, precision manufacturing discipline, and quality culture that our teams at Hical have built,” said Yashas Jaiveer.
Jaiveer noted that being selected to supply components for the Rafale programme underscores the growing global recognition of India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
“Being entrusted with critical products for the Rafale, one of the most sophisticated fighter aircraft in the world, is a recognition that Indian aerospace manufacturing has arrived on the global stage,” he said.
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Dassault Aviation’s shop floor.
Strengthening the India–France aerospace partnership
The agreement also reinforces the strategic aerospace partnership between India and France, which has deepened in recent years through defence cooperation and technology collaborations.
The Rafale fighter jet, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, is among the world’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft and is currently operated by several air forces including the Indian Air Force.
By integrating Hical Technologies into the Rafale supply chain, the partnership extends beyond aircraft procurement into long-term industrial cooperation and technology integration.
Officials say the collaboration aligns closely with the objectives of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities across strategic sectors including defence and aerospace.
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India’s expanding role in the global defence value chain
Hical Technologies’ participation in the Rafale programme represents a broader shift in India’s aerospace sector, where domestic companies are increasingly supplying specialised components to global aircraft manufacturers.
Such partnerships allow Indian firms to gain access to advanced manufacturing techniques, international certification standards and global aerospace markets.
As global aircraft production continues to expand, Indian companies are positioning themselves as reliable partners capable of delivering complex aerospace systems and subsystems.
With the new contract, Hical Technologies joins a growing list of Indian manufacturers contributing to major international defence platforms, reinforcing India’s emergence as an important player in the global aerospace and defence supply chain.
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