Prime Minister Narendra Modi today officially opened the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, dedicated to the production of C-295 aircraft, alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The C-295 program encompasses 56 aircraft, with 16 being supplied directly from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be assembled at this facility—the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India.
This facility will create a comprehensive ecosystem for the entire lifecycle of the aircraft, including manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance. In 2021, the Ministry of Defence finalized a ₹21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA for the procurement of these aircraft.
During the inauguration, PM Modi expressed optimism about future exports from the Vadodara facility, stating, “The Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will enhance India-Spain relations and further the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.” He also honored the late Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons, who played a crucial role in bringing this project to fruition, saying, “If he were here today, he would have been pleased, and I am sure his spirit is proud.”
Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran noted that Ratan Tata initially envisioned this project back in 2012. He emphasized the importance of Ratan Tata’s leadership in establishing the partnership with Airbus and creating this opportunity.
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez highlighted that the collaboration between Airbus and Tata will significantly advance India’s aerospace sector and attract more European companies. “This project combines the strengths of both Tata, a leader in Indian industry, and Airbus,” he remarked. He added that the facility will symbolize “industrial excellence” and strengthen the growing ties between the two nations.
The C-295 is a transport aircraft with a capacity of 5-10 tonnes, featuring modern technology that will replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 planes. Known for its versatility, the C-295 can transport up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and is suitable for logistics operations in locations inaccessible to larger aircraft.
