Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara, marking Indias first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. This facility is part of the C-295 program, under which India will procure 56 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Forces aging Avro-748 fleet. Sixteen of these will be delivered from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India, with the first Made in India C-295 expected by September 2026 and the full order completed by August 2031. The contract, valued at ₹21,935 crore, was signed by the Ministry of Defence in 2021.

Boost to Employment and Local Manufacturing : The project is anticipated to create around 600 direct and over 3,000 indirect jobs, along with 3,000 medium-skill positions. Approximately 13,000 of the 14,000 parts needed for each aircraft will be manufactured in India, sourced from 37 local industrial partners, mainly small and medium enterprises.

Enhancing Indigenous Capabilities: India aims to boost the local content in the C-295 aircraft from 48% to 75% over time. The integration of a locally produced Electronic Warfare Suite, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited, will further enhance the aircrafts capabilities. Additionally, local labor involvement in production is expected to rise from 78% to 96% as production progresses.

Strategic Importance of the C-295: The C-295 is a versatile transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, equipped with a rear ramp door for easy loading and unloading, and the ability to operate from short and semi-prepared airstrips. It suits a wide range of military transport needs, making it a key asset for the Indian Air Force (IAF). India received its first C-295 aircraft in September 2023, with six now inducted into the IAFs 11 Squadron. The final aircraft from Airbus Spain is expected by August 2025, while the remaining 40 made in India will be completed by 2031.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.