- Mark New Milestone in ‘Make in India, Make for the World’
- Red Letter Day for both Tata and Airbus
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 28 October 2024. In a landmark event for India’s defence and manufacturing sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat. This state-of-the-art facility at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will manufacture C-295 military transport aircraft, enhancing India’s position as a significant player in global aerospace manufacturing. With this project, India moves forward with its mission of “Make in India, Make for the World,” as the two nations strengthen their defence and industrial ties.
This FAL, the first of its kind set up by the private sector in India, underscores the Government of India’s commitment to the AatmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. Three years ago, the IAF formalized the acquisition of the C295 to replace its legacy AVRO fleet. As per the contract, 40 of the 56 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled at the Vadodara facility, with the remaining 16 being delivered in fly-away condition from Airbus’ FAL in Seville, Spain. Six aircraft have already been delivered to the IAF.
Speaking at the event, N. Chandrasekaran said, “The Tata Group is proud to set up this advanced facility that will manufacture India’s first private defence aircraft from the ground up, significantly enhancing the country’s defence and advanced manufacturing capabilities.” He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Sánchez, and other distinguished guests for their support of India’s indigenous manufacturing journey.
The inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex marks a historic milestone in the partnership between India and Spain. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the alignment between India’s manufacturing ambitions and Spain’s technological expertise. He noted that the C-295 aircraft facility reflects a “new work culture of a New India”, where rapid execution has eliminated delays and inefficiencies in project planning. The factory, built in record time, underscores India’s commitment to transforming its defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Modi acknowledged the contributions of both Tata and Airbus teams in bringing the C-295 project to life and honored the late Ratan Tata for his vision. He quoted Spanish poet Antonio Machado, noting, “As we tread toward our goals, the path forms beneath our feet,” underscoring India’s progress in creating a robust defence manufacturing sector. This sector, once heavily reliant on imports, now aspires to be self-sustaining, with production and exports steadily increasing.
Michael Schoellhorn CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the milestone’s importance in India’s path to self-reliance, noting, “The C295 India programme demonstrates Airbus’ commitment to supporting India’s vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing. This FAL will help advance India’s aerospace industrial ecosystem, fostering design, component manufacturing, and assembly capabilities across the Indian value chain.”
The Vadodara FAL will handle the integration of manufacturing processes for detail parts, sub-assemblies, and major component assemblies, alongside essential tooling and testing. Production for components has already begun at the Main Component Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, with initial parts shipped to Vadodara for assembly. The first Made in India C295 aircraft is expected to roll out in September 2026, with the facility on track to meet the contract requirement of delivering 40 aircraft by August 2031.
With 56 aircraft on order, India becomes the largest customer for the C295. The Make in India programme will complete over 85% of structural and final assembly for the 40 aircraft domestically, with around 13,000 parts produced locally. Airbus has certified 21 special processes for this program, and 37 suppliers from India’s private and public sectors have been onboarded.
For Airbus, India is a strategic resource hub. Beyond aircraft assembly, Airbus is expanding its footprint in India with component manufacturing, MRO support, and training, investing over $1 billion annually. This robust supply chain contributes to more than 15,000 jobs across India, and the company’s engineering centers in Bengaluru support Airbus’ global commercial and helicopter programs.
The C295 program signifies a significant step forward in India’s defence manufacturing and aerospace capabilities, positioning India as a leader in the global aerospace supply chain and advancing its self-reliance in defence.
The C-295 aircraft stands out as a versatile and capable choice for military operations, boasting a range of advanced features. With an impressive range of 5,000 km and an endurance of up to 11 hours, the C-295 is built for long missions. It offers a substantial payload capacity of 9,250 kg, making it suitable for various operational needs. Its Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capability allows it to operate from short, unpaved runways, adding flexibility in challenging environments. Equipped with advanced avionics, including a state-of-the-art cockpit and navigation systems, the C-295 is designed to meet modern military demands efficiently.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of the C-295 aircraft project, viewing it as a testament to the strengthening defence cooperation between India and Spain. Recognizing the advanced capabilities and competitiveness of Spain’s defence industry and its alignment with the goals of the Make in India initiative, they encouraged their respective defence industries to pursue similar joint ventures across other sectors in India.
Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) and Tata Advanced Systems have entered a collaboration for manufacturing and assembly of the C-295 medium–lift tactical transport airport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Under the agreement Tata Advanced Systems has been selected as the Indian Production Agency (IPA) by Airbus DS.
Keeping to his tradition Modi arrived at the Tata-Airbus facility along with Sanchez after a roadshow, like he had done when he was in Vadodara to launch the same facility two years back.The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Gujarat’s Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The inauguration of the C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara represents a new chapter in India’s defence manufacturing and its strategic partnership with Spain. This facility is a milestone for India’s “Make in India” initiative, contributing to a vibrant defence ecosystem, job creation, and skill development across the country. Through this collaboration, India and Spain are poised to strengthen their ties further, contributing to global security and innovation. Also, 96% of the total man hour work per aircraft that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility at Spain will be undertaken in India by the TATA Consortium. Manufacturing of over 13,400 Detail Parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the seven Major Component Assemblies will be undertaken in India, along with tools, jigs and testers. Various systems such as engines, landing gear, avionics, EW suite etc. will be provided by Airbus Defence & Space and integrated on the aircraft by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be tested as an integrated system by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be flight tested and delivered through a Delivery Centre at the TATA Consortium facility.
