Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez launched the Tata-Airbus C295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday. Sanchez is visiting India for three days and arrived in Vadodara specifically for this event.
A Collaborative Defence Initiative
The Tata Advanced Systems, in partnership with Airbus Spain, developed this plant at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus. Under the C-295 program, there are a total of 56 aircraft planned. Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India.
Expansion of the C-295 Program
In February, the Defence Acquisitions Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the initial draft for this project. This draft included a proposal for an additional 15 C-295 aircraft, with nine designated for the Navy and six for the Coast Guard.
Enhancing India’s Defence Capabilities
The new facility will significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities. It will create a complete ecosystem for the aircraft’s manufacture, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout its lifecycle. The C-295 will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing HS-748 Avro fleet. This marks the first time a private sector company has manufactured a military aircraft in India, breaking the previous monopoly held by Hindustan Aeronautics, a public sector unit.
Building a Comprehensive Ecosystem
In addition to Tata, other public sector companies like Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., along with various private small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), will contribute to establishing a comprehensive ecosystem for military aircraft production. This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s goal of transforming India into a major defence manufacturing hub.
PM Modi’s Itinerary
Following the inauguration of the facility in Vadodara, PM Modi is scheduled to visit the Laxmi Vilas Palace. He will then travel to Amreli to inaugurate the Bharat Mata Sarovar at 2:45 PM. Additionally, he will lay the foundation for development projects worth over ₹4,800 crore in the district.