India’s Aviation Milestone: PM Modi Inaugurates Tata-Airbus Facility to Manufacture C295 Military Aircraft in Gujarat

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 28, 2024, New Delhi – Marking a significant leap in India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Tata Group's C295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. This landmark complex will produce C295 military transport aircraft in collaboration with Spain’s Airbus Defence and Space, ushering India into a new era of aerospace self-reliance.

Addressing the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi honored the late Ratan Tata, whose vision was instrumental in realizing this ambitious project. “This project is the brainchild of Ratan Tata. He passed away a few days ago and would have been happy if he were with us today,” PM Modi said, highlighting the visionary leadership of the industrial icon.

The C295 aircraft, a versatile military transport aircraft, recently entered Indian airspace, with 16 planes delivered from Spain to support the Indian Air Force (IAF). Over the coming years, an additional 40 aircraft will be manufactured domestically at the Vadodara facility, with Tata Group leading the way alongside contributions from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and several private-sector small and medium enterprises. This collaboration will further bolster India’s defense infrastructure and economic growth, creating numerous job opportunities within the country.

Designed to operate in challenging terrains, the C295 can take off from short and rugged airstrips, making it especially valuable for missions in remote and mountainous regions such as Sikkim, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh. This capability will significantly enhance the Indian Army's operational reach in strategic and geographically challenging areas, a critical advantage for national defense.

The launch of the C295 manufacturing facility represents a powerful step forward for the Indian defense sector, contributing to the "Make in India" initiative and reducing dependency on foreign military imports. The Tata-Airbus collaboration is poised to not only strengthen India’s defense aviation but also to establish the country as a future hub for aircraft production.