PM Modi and Spanish PM inaugurate India's first private military aircraft facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated a significant new aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, where TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will produce the C-295 transport aircraft.

This project, a partnership between India’s TATA Group and Airbus, marks India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft, enhancing India’s aerospace capabilities by facilitating the domestic production of military planes.

The C-295 aircraft program, signed by India’s Ministry of Defence and Airbus Defense and Space SA in 2021, involves a Rs 21,935 crore agreement for 56 transport aircraft. Of these, Airbus will supply 16 directly from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India at the TATA Aircraft Complex.

This initiative will develop a full manufacturing ecosystem, from assembly and testing to lifecycle maintenance, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the ceremony, praised the launch as a landmark achievement for India’s aerospace industry, underscoring the role of private industry in military production.

The C-295 aircraft, designed to carry between 5 to 10 tonnes, will replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 fleet. Known for its versatility, the C-295 can transport up to 71 troops, 50 paratroopers, or essential logistics supplies. Equipped to handle multi-role missions in varied environments - from desert to maritime conditions - the C-295 features a rear ramp door for rapid troop and cargo deployment, along with short take-off and landing capabilities on semi-prepared surfaces.

Each aircraft under the agreement will also be equipped with an Electronic Warfare suite developed by Indian defense public sector units Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited, further advancing India’s defense manufacturing expertise.