Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, for the production of C-295 military aircraft. The inauguration followed a 2.5 km roadshow led by both leaders from the airport to the facility, which marks India’s first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. Under the C-295 program, a total of 56 aircraft will be manufactured, with 16 delivered directly from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be built at the new TATA complex located within TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
PM Shri @narendramodi's roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat. https://t.co/cXzONG0XSS
— BJP (@BJP4India) October 28, 2024
According to an official statement from PM Modi’s office, the complex will create a comprehensive ecosystem for the aircraft’s entire lifecycle, covering manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the event as a milestone for India’s aerospace sector, emphasizing that this is the first time a private company will manufacture a full military aircraft in India, boosting the nation’s growing aerospace ecosystem.
Tomorrow, 28th October, is going to be a very special day for the Indian Aerospace industry.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 27, 2024
PM Shri @narendramodi , along with his Spanish counterpart Mr. @sanchezcastejon will jointly inaugurate the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft in Vadodara.
The… pic.twitter.com/44oApxLiko
The foundation stone for the FAL plant was laid by PM Modi in October 2022, and the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹ 21,935-crore contract with Airbus in 2021 for the 56 aircraft.
Why the C-295 Aircraft Is Significant: The C-295 is a tactical transport aircraft with a capacity of 5-10 tonnes, designed to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 fleet. With advanced technology, it can transport up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and perform logistical operations in areas inaccessible to larger aircraft. Known for its robustness and reliability, the C-295 boasts an endurance of up to 11 hours and can conduct multi-role operations in diverse weather and terrains.
Equipped with a rear ramp door for quick troop and cargo deployment, the aircraft can perform short take-offs and landings on semi-prepared surfaces. Additionally, all 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous electronic warfare suites developed by Indian companies Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.