Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat. This facility marks the establishment of India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft.
Under the C-295 program, a total of 56 aircraft will be produced, with 16 aircraft delivered directly from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured at the new facility. The project will encompass the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, including manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance.
In 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth Rs 219.35 billion with Airbus Defense and Space SA for the supply of these aircraft. Speaking at the inauguration, PM Modi stated that the aircraft produced at the Vadodara facility would also be available for export in the future.
"This Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will enhance India-Spain relations and support our 'Make in India, Make for the World' initiative," PM Modi remarked, recalling that he had laid the foundation stone for the C-295 FAL plant in October 2022. He also paid tribute to former Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, credited as the visionary behind the project, who passed away at the age of 86 earlier this month. "If he were here today, he would have been proud," PM Modi said.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, acknowledged that the project was conceived by Ratan Tata in 2012. "I must emphasise that this initiative began more than a decade ago under Ratan Tata’s leadership, who established this partnership with Airbus and laid the groundwork for this opportunity," he stated, honoring Tata's visionary contributions.
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez highlighted the significance of the partnership, asserting that it would advance the Indian aerospace industry and attract more European companies. "This project unites the best of both worlds. Tata exemplifies Indian industrial strength, with its products and services present worldwide. Tata is a giant among giants," he said.
He added that the facility would symbolise "industrial excellence, an engine of growth, and a testament to our deepening friendship." The C-295 is a transport aircraft with a capacity of 5-10 tonnes and advanced technology, designed to replace the aging Avro-748 planes of the Indian Air Force. Known for its tactical transport capabilities, the C-295 can carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and is adept at logistics in hard-to-reach areas.
Renowned for its robustness and reliability, the C-295 offers a flight endurance of up to 11 hours and can conduct multi-role operations in various weather conditions. The aircraft features a rear ramp door for rapid troop deployment and cargo para-dropping, and it can take off and land on short, semi-prepared surfaces.
All 56 aircraft under the agreement will also be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite, developed by Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
