Vadodara
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez officially opened the Tata Advanced Systems Limited-Airbus facility on Monday in Vadodara, Gujarat. This marks India’s first private assembly line for military aircraft, specifically for the C-295 model.
During the inauguration, Modi emphasized that this facility will strengthen the relationship between India and Spain while advancing the “Make in India” initiative. He mentioned that the aircraft produced here will also be exported in the future.
“This factory showcases India’s capability to execute projects quickly and efficiently,” Modi stated, noting that the construction of the facility began only two years ago. He expressed confidence that aircraft from this plant would be sold internationally.
Modi also highlighted the growth of India’s defense manufacturing, stating that nearly 1,000 defense startups have been established in the last five to six years, and defense exports have increased significantly. He mentioned that around 18,000 parts of the C-295 aircraft will be made by small industries across India.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez stated that the first C-295 aircraft is expected to roll out from this facility in 2026. He praised the project as a testament to the growing industrial partnership between the two countries.
Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran assured that the first aircraft will be ready in two years. This project is part of a Rs 21,000 crore deal to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging fleet of Avro-748 planes with new C-295 aircraft, further enhancing India’s defense capabilities.
