Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on Monday inaugurated the Tata Aircraft complex in Vadodara for the manufacturing of C-295 aircraft.
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd will make 40 C-295 aircraft at the Vadodra facility as part of the C-295 program.
Highlights: Tata-Airbus C295 aircraft plant inauguration
A total of 56 aircraft were to be delivered out of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain. The remaining 40 will be made in India at the facility.
Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant of C-295 aircraft in Vadodara in October 2022.
It is the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India and marks a big step in Modi government's Aatmanirbhar (self-reliance) push.
All about C-295 aircraft
C295 aircraft was initially manufactured by Spanish aerospace company CASA. It is now part of the European multinational Airbus Defence and Space division.
The C-295 is a transport aircraft which has the capacity to carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. Known to be a superior aircraft, it can also be used for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.
The aircraft has a load capacity of around 5-10 tonne and boasts of contemporary technology which will replace the Indian Air Force's Avro-748 planes.
The aircraft can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation.
With a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots, the C-295 can performe special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.
According to the Airbust website, the C-295 is fitted with a retractable landing gear and features an unobstructed 12.69-meter-long pressurised cabin.
It can cruise up to an altitude of 30,000 ft while retaining excellent low-level flight characteristics.
India's C-295 aircraft deal
The defence ministry in September 2021 had signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain for supply of 56 aircraft.
The first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft was delivered to India in September 2023.
They were inducted into the Indian Air Force in presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh at an induction ceremony held at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad. According to PTI, the Indian Air Force has already inducted six C-295 aircraft in its Vadodara-based 11 Squadron.
The last of the 16 flyaway aircraft will be delivered by August 2025, an official source told PTI.
All 56 aircraft will be equipped with an electronic warfare suite that will be indigenously manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), sources told PTI.
The value addition by TASL will gradually increase from 48 per cent in the first 16 aircraft to 75 per cent in the remaining 24 aircraft, they said.
Key features of Airbus C295
- Versatility: Suited for tactical transport, maritime patrol, surveillance, and medical evacuation
- Tactical Transport: Carries up to 71 troops, operates on short, rough airfields
- Maritime Surveillance: Equipped with FITS for anti-surface warfare and SAR
- Airborne Early Warning: 360° surveillance with AESA radar
- Armed ISR: Configurable for surveillance with weapons for close air support
- MEDEVAC: Holds 24 stretchers and 7 medical attendants
- Air-to-Air Refueling: Delivers up to 6,000 kg of fuel
- Water Bomber: Carries 7,000 liters for firefighting
The plant in Vadodra is a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS). It was originally envisioned by the late Ratan Tata himself.
The facility will be India’s first private military transport aircraft production plant.
The Vadodara facility will manage the entire production lifecycle of the aircraft, including component manufacturing, assembly, testing and final delivery.
It is also expected to support future maintenance and upgrade services.
An official statement from PM Modi’s office called the facility "a complete ecosystem, from manufacturing and assembly to testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout the aircraft's lifecycle."
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