Context:
Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that the first “Made in India” C-295 military transport aircraft will roll out from the Airbus–Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat before September 2026.
About the C-295 Aircraft:
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- The Airbus C-295 is a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft originally designed by Spain’s CASA (now part of Airbus Defence and Space). It is capable of multi-role operations such as troop and cargo transport, para-dropping, medical evacuation and logistical support, with performance across varied environments and runway conditions.
- India signed a ₹21,935-crore contract in 2021 with Airbus Defence and Space for 56 C-295 aircraft, aimed at replacing the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 fleet.
- The Airbus C-295 is a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft originally designed by Spain’s CASA (now part of Airbus Defence and Space). It is capable of multi-role operations such as troop and cargo transport, para-dropping, medical evacuation and logistical support, with performance across varied environments and runway conditions.
Make in India and Production Plan:
Under the agreement:
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- The first 16 C-295 aircraft were delivered in “fly-away” condition from Airbus’ Seville facility in Spain between 2023–25.
- The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled in India by TASL under a joint industrial partnership.
- The first 16 C-295 aircraft were delivered in “fly-away” condition from Airbus’ Seville facility in Spain between 2023–25.
The Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, inaugurated in October 2024, is the first such facility for military aircraft in India’s private sector, reflecting a major shift in the defence industrial base.
Strategic and Industrial Significance:
The rollout of the first Made-in-India C-295 has multiple layers of significance:
1. Defence Capability and Modernisation
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- Enhances the tactical airlift capability of the Indian Air Force, essential for troop movement, logistics and humanitarian missions.
- Replaces the ageing Avro-748 fleet with a modern, versatile transport platform.
- Enhances the tactical airlift capability of the Indian Air Force, essential for troop movement, logistics and humanitarian missions.
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2. Boost to Indigenous Manufacturing
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- Represents a major step in Make in India, expanding the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
- Involves production of significant structural components and major sub-assemblies within India, integrating Indian suppliers into global value chains.
- Represents a major step in Make in India, expanding the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
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3. Skill and Industrial Ecosystem Development
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- The assembly line and associated supply chain support the creation of skilled employment and capability building in aerospace manufacturing.
- The assembly line and associated supply chain support the creation of skilled employment and capability building in aerospace manufacturing.
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4. International Collaboration
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- Demonstrates growing defence industrial cooperation between India and Spain, rooted in shared strategic interests and bilateral ties.
- Demonstrates growing defence industrial cooperation between India and Spain, rooted in shared strategic interests and bilateral ties.
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Economic and Geopolitical Implications:
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- Economic Impact: The programme is set to catalyse domestic MSME participation, deepen industrial competencies and potentially support future aerospace exports.
- Geostrategic Positioning: Indigenous defence manufacturing reduces import dependence, enhances strategic autonomy, and bolsters India’s role as a credible defence production hub globally.
- Economic Impact: The programme is set to catalyse domestic MSME participation, deepen industrial competencies and potentially support future aerospace exports.
Conclusion:
The upcoming roll-out of India’s first Made-in-India C-295 aircraft marks a milestone in defence manufacturing and self-reliance. It exemplifies the convergence of strategic partnership, industrial capability and national policy goals under Make in India. As the project progresses toward full operationalisation by 2031, it is poised to strengthen India’s defence readiness while expanding its aerospace industrial base.
