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Modi, Spanish PM to Inaugurate India's First Private Military Aircraft Plant for C-295 in Vadodara

Oct 27, 2024, 03:00 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are set to jointly inaugurate the Tata-Airbus Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, on October 28. The facility, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus, will manufacture the C-295 military transport aircraft, marking the first time a military aircraft will be produced in India by a private company. India signed a Rs 21,935 crore ($2.5 billion) deal with Airbus in September 2021 for 56 C-295 planes for the Indian Air Force. Of these, 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition by Airbus, and the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India at the Vadodara facility, which is the country's first private sector Final Assembly Line for military aircraft. The first locally manufactured C-295 is expected to roll out in September 2026. The aircraft can carry 72 troops, 50 paratroopers, or up to 9 tonnes of payload, and includes an indigenous electronic warfare suite. The project is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and is a significant step towards India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also be present at the inauguration. Following the event, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Sanchez will hold a meeting at the historic Lakshmi Vilas Palace.