Vadodara (Gujarat): In a significant milestone for India’s aviation sector, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Final Assembly Line (FAL) Plant for C295 aircraft here.
Set up under the “Make in India” initiative, this joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus Spain is expected to transform India’s aviation landscape by bolstering local manufacturing and creating thousands of jobs.
The C295 program was formalized in September 2021 to replace the Indian Air Force’s legacy AVRO fleet with 56 state-of-the-art C295 aircraft. The $2.5 billion contract involves Airbus delivering the first 16 aircraft from its facility in Seville, Spain, while TASL will manufacture the remaining 40 in India.
This plant, which marks India’s first private-sector aerospace manufacturing site, is set to roll out its first “Made in India” aircraft by 2026, with the full fleet expected by 2031.
This partnership goes beyond aircraft production, establishing a robust ecosystem that includes manufacturing, assembly, testing, and maintenance. With contributions from public-sector units like Bharat Electronics Ltd. and numerous MSMEs, the project is set to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect ones. Components made at TASL’s facility in Hyderabad will be shipped to Vadodara for final assembly, while a dedicated depot in Prayagraj will house spare parts.
Known for its versatility, the C295 is designed for tactical transport, troop airdrop, medical evacuation, and maritime patrol. It is capable of operating on short, unprepared airstrips, providing flexibility for both military and humanitarian missions.
President Sanchez’s visit, which includes talks with PM Modi and meetings with industry leaders in Mumbai, underscores the growing ties between India and Spain across sectors like trade, renewable energy, and defense. Both countries anticipate signing several agreements, boosting cooperation and investment, and fostering deeper collaboration.
The inauguration of the C295 assembly plant marks a new chapter in India-Spain relations, further advancing India’s aerospace industry and underscoring the success of the “Make in India” initiative.
