A joint venture between France based aerospace manufacturer Dassault Avaition and India based Reliance Aerospace – Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) – is planning to commence the production of Falcon 2000LXS business jets in Nagpur, India by 2025.
The aim is to unveil the first Falcon 2000 LXS jet from Nagpur in early 2025.
Set up in 2017 to meet the offset obligations under the Rafale aircraft deal, the JV facility in Nagpur has been producing components of the fighter jet.
The first cockpit assembly of Falcon 2000 business jet was delivered from the facility in 2019.
Initially, the idea was to fully assemble the Falcon business jets in India by 2022, but the proposal was deferred.
Now, plans are being firmed up to assemble the complete aircraft in India.
Noteworthy, the initial production capacity is planned for 18 aircraft a year, which could go up to 22 aircraft.
Also, worth mentioning that the first deliveries from DRAL facility are planned for the Defence Ministry of France, which has placed an order of nine aircraft with Dassault.
With the production of these business jets in the next 18 months, India will join select group of countries that manufacture business jets.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/
Specifications of Dassault Falcon 2000LXS
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 10 passengers
- Length: 20.23 m (66 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 21.38 m (70 ft 2 in)
- Height: 7.11 m (23 ft 4 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 19,414 kg (42,801 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 16,660 lb (7,557 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines, 31.14 kN (7,000 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.85-0.862
- Range: 7,408 km (4,603 mi, 4,000 nmi) (6 passengers, 2 crew, Mach .80)
- Service ceiling: 14,326 m (47,001 ft)
- Take-off distance: 1,425 m (4,675 ft)
- Landing distance: 689 m (2,260 ft) ((FAR 91, 6 pax, SL, NBAA IFR reserves)
As per open sources, a new Dassault Falcon 2000LXS costs roughly $35 million (USD), while a used 2013 model retails for around $20 million.
