Official delivery reports from the Indian Air Force or Tata Advanced Systems Limited

PM Modi and Spain's Sánchez Inaugurate Tata-Airbus C-295 Military Aircraft Plant in Vadodara

Oct 28, 2024, 05:12 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have jointly inaugurated the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, on October 28. This marks India's first private sector military aircraft manufacturing plant and the first military aircraft to be built in India by a private consortium. The facility, constructed in just two years, is a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus, and will produce the C-295 military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Under a contract worth Rs 21,935 crore signed in 2021, India will procure 56 C-295 aircraft. Sixteen of these aircraft will be delivered directly from Airbus in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured at the Vadodara facility. The first India-made C-295 aircraft, incorporating over 18,000 indigenous parts, is expected to roll out of the plant in September 2026. The C-295 aircraft can carry 72 troops, 50 paratroopers, and has a payload capacity of 7-9 tonnes, enhancing the IAF's tactical airlift capabilities for troop transport, paratrooping, medical evacuation, and disaster relief operations. The project is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs, contributing to technological development, particularly in Gujarat, India's leading manufacturing hub. The inauguration of the facility is a significant milestone in India's efforts to achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing and aligns with the government's 'Make in India, Make for the World' initiative. The partnership is also expected to strengthen India-Spain relations and pave the way for increased cooperation in the aerospace sector. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attended the event, highlighting the importance of the facility in modernizing India's defense capabilities. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to India marks the first by a Spanish leader in nearly two decades. He expressed confidence that the partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and open new doors for further collaboration between European and Indian companies.