PM Modi, Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez to unveil Tata-Airbus Gujarat unit on Oct 28

File photo: PM Narendra Modi with Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata Aircraft Complex at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara on October 28, dedicated to manufacturing the C-295 aircraft, stated the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Saturday. This program encompasses a total of 56 aircraft, with 16 being directly delivered by Airbus from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be produced in India.

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd will oversee the production of these 40 aircraft, establishing the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft in India, as per the PMO. The facility will encompass the entire lifecycle of the aircraft, including manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance, further noted the PMO. This facility represents a flagship "Make in India" initiative in the aviation sector, established by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with Airbus Spain.

Furthermore, the PMO noted that prominent defense public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited, along with private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will contribute to this ambitious program, in addition to Tata.

The project stems from a contract signed on September 24, 2021, between the Ministry of Defence and Airbus Defence and Space S.A. for the acquisition of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Spain.

The Defence Ministry entered a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Airbus for 56 C-295 transport aircraft, aimed at fortifying self-reliance in the country's defense manufacturing sector. This initiative is a joint effort between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus, with the agreement stipulating that Airbus will supply 16 C-295s in flyaway condition, while the remaining 40 will be assembled in Vadodara.

Airbus has delivered six C-295s to the Indian Air Force (IAF), till date, with the seventh aircraft expected to become operational by the end of this year. The IAF officially inducted its first C-295 in September 2023.

The final delivery of the 16 flyaway aircraft is scheduled for August 2025. The first made-in-India C-295 is anticipated to roll out the production line in Vadodara in September 2026, with the remaining 39 expected to be completed by August 2031.

These aircraft are set to significantly enhance the IAF's logistics capabilities, enabling it to meet operational needs in forward areas, particularly along the contested border with China. Additionally, the C-295s will replace the IAF's aging fleet of Avro transport aircraft, which have been in service since the early 1960s.

PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara facility in October 2022 dedicated to the C-295 aircraft program. Once fully operational, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to become the world's largest operator of the C-295, further enhancing its capabilities and operational readiness.

Spanish PM Sanchez's three-day visit to India begins on Saturday, during which he will engage in delegation-level talks with PM Modi. This marks his first official visit to India, after an 18-year hiatus since the last visit by a Spanish president. The two leaders have previously met on multiple occasions during various multilateral meetings.

During Sanchez's visit, there will be opportunities to review and enhance cooperation across various sectors, including trade and investment, information technology, innovation, infrastructure, renewable energy, defense and security, pharmaceuticals, agro-tech, bio-tech, culture, and tourism, as per a PMO release.

India and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1956, and the two nations have maintained a cordial and cooperative partnership ever since.