PM Modi and Spain PM Inaugurate C-295 Aircraft Facility
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez opened the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat. This facility will produce C-295 aircraft, marking a significant advancement for India’s aerospace sector.
The C-295 program involves 56 aircraft. Airbus will deliver 16 directly from Spain. The remaining 40 will be manufactured at this new facility. This plant is India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. It will create a full ecosystem for the aircraft’s lifecycle, including manufacturing, assembly, testing, delivery, and maintenance.
In 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹21,935 crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA for these aircraft.
During the inauguration, PM Modi said the aircraft made in Vadodara will also be exported. He highlighted that the TATA-Airbus partnership will improve India-Spain relations. It supports the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative.
Modi paid tribute to Ratan Tata, the late former chairman of Tata Sons. Tata was key to this project. He passed away earlier this month at the age of 86. Modi stated, “If he had been with us today, he would have been happy, but wherever his soul is, he would be happy.”
N Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons, spoke at the event. He explained that Ratan Tata initially conceived this project back in 2012. “This project was originally conceived more than a decade ago by Ratan Tata ji, who created this partnership with Airbus,” he remarked. Furthermore, Chandrasekaran paid tribute to Tata’s visionary leadership.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised the Airbus-Tata collaboration. He said this partnership will boost the Indian aerospace industry and attract more European companies.
“Tata represents Indian industrial strength. Its products and services are known worldwide. Tata is a giant among giants,” Sanchez remarked. He added that this project strengthens industrial ties and shows both countries’ commitment as reliable partners.
The C-295 is a transport aircraft with a capacity of 5-10 tonnes. It will replace the Indian Air Force’s outdated Avro-748 planes. The C-295 can carry 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. It is suitable for logistics in hard-to-reach areas.
Characterized as “robust and reliable,” the C-295 has a flight endurance of up to 11 hours. It can perform various missions in all weather conditions, day or night, and in diverse environments from deserts to coastal areas.
The aircraft features a rear ramp door for quick deployment of troops and cargo. It can also take off and land on shorter, semi-prepared surfaces.
All 56 aircraft will be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite. This suite will be developed by Indian public sector units Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
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