Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are set to inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL)-Airbus factory in Vadodara on October 28, according to a government release.
The foundation for the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility was laid by Prime Minister Modi in October 2022, and the plant is set to be inaugurated by both Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez next Monday, according to a Gujarat government statement.
“Modi and Sanchez will jointly unveil the ambitious Airbus project in Vadodara. As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, this effort aims to boost domestic aircraft production. The Prime Minister laid the foundation for this project exactly two years ago, on October 30, 2022, in Vadodara,” the statement read.
The Tata-Airbus partnership will manufacture transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence aviation industry. The statement also mentioned that a key bilateral meeting between the two leaders will take place during their visit to Vadodara.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation is making extensive arrangements for the high-profile event, the release added. In September 2021, India finalized a deal worth nearly Rs 21,000 crore with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C-295 transport aircraft, replacing the aging Avro-748 fleet of the IAF. Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 planes in ‘fly-away’ condition from its facility in Seville, Spain, over four years.
The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems in India, marking the first time military aircraft will be produced domestically by a private company as part of a joint industrial effort.
Tata-Airbus is a strategic partnership between Tata Group and Airbus, aimed at bolstering India’s defense manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the Indian aerospace sector, with the two companies set to produce the C-295 military transport aircraft in India.
The project involves setting up a state-of-the-art assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, where the C-295 aircraft will be manufactured, assembled, and tested, making it the first time an Indian private company will fully produce a military aircraft.
This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” missions, fostering indigenous defense production and creating a robust supply chain. The partnership is expected to generate employment opportunities, enhance India’s aerospace expertise, and position the country as a key player in global defense manufacturing.
