New Rafale JV: Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems join forces in India

Hical Technologies has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Safran Aerosystems to investigate establishing a joint venture focused on producing complex Rafale systems within India. Image caption:-Hical Technologies Signs MoU with Safran Aerosystems Bengaluru, October 7, 2026 – Hical Technologies, a Bengaluru-based specialist in precision electromechanical manufacturing for international aerospace and defence sectors, confirmed today that it has signed an MoU with Safran Aerosystems. The agreement aims to explore forming a joint venture dedicated to manufacturing sophisticated systems for the Dassault Rafale program locally.

This potential joint venture is set to concentrate on manufacturing advanced equipment, specifically complex fuel and fluid systems along with their associated assemblies, for Rafale aircraft produced under the Make in India program. This agreement highlights the expanding influence of Indian industry within international aerospace and defence supply chains, while also emphasizing Safran Aerosystems’ dedication to strengthening partnerships with top-tier private-sector firms in India.

"This proposed partnership reflects Safran Aerosystems’ continued commitment to India and to the development of its private-sector aerospace ecosystem," said Joel Berkoukchi, CEO, Fluid & Fuel Systems Division, Safran Aerosystems. "As programmes such as Rafale demand depth, quality and scale in the supply chain, Hical’s expanding capacity – including its new facility in Devanahalli – will be important in supporting the advanced manufacturing requirements for complex fuel and fluid systems and other critical equipment in India."

This MoU strengthens Hical’s existing participation in the Rafale ecosystem. Having already been chosen to collaborate directly with Dassault Aviation regarding control systems for the Rafale programme, this potential joint venture offers Hical a pathway to broaden its expertise in complex systems manufacturing. This move further supports India’s progression up the aerospace value chain in alignment with the Make in India initiative.

This announcement arrives alongside a significant boost to Hical’s aerospace manufacturing capacity. The firm recently opened a new aerospace production plant in Devanahalli, located near Bengaluru. This development is a key component of Hical’s wider strategy to establish the scale, technical capability, and manufacturing depth necessary to facilitate increasingly advanced aerospace and defence programmes supplied from India to international clients.

"This MoU marks an important milestone for Hical as we move into more complex systems manufacturing for demanding aerospace platforms such as Rafale. By combining Safran Aerosystems’ technology leadership with Hical’s growing manufacturing footprint in India, we aim to support the Make in India vision and demonstrate that critical aerospace systems can be designed, industrialised and produced competitively in India for the world." – Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director, Hical Technologies