India marked a significant milestone in bolstering its defence capabilities with the delivery of the final 16th Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain on Saturday, two months ahead of schedule. The Indian Embassy in Spain announced the achievement, highlighting the aircraft’s role in modernizing the Indian Air Force (IAF) by replacing its ageing Avro fleet. The handover ceremony took place at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville, attended by Indian Ambassador Dinesh K. Patnaik and senior IAF officials.
The C-295, a versatile tactical transport aircraft with a 5-10 tonne capacity and up to 11 hours of flight endurance, brings cutting-edge technology to the IAF. In September 2021, India signed a Rs 21,000 crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space for 56 C-295MW aircraft. Of these, 16 were to be delivered directly from Spain, with the remaining 40 to be manufactured in India by TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). Saturday’s delivery completes Spain’s commitment under the agreement.
The TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, inaugurated in October 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, serves as India’s first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. This facility is set to produce the remaining 40 aircraft, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance. Leading defence public sector units like Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., alongside private MSMEs, are integral to this ambitious programme, enhancing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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The early delivery underscores the strong defence partnership between India and Spain, with the C-295 programme poised to enhance the IAF’s operational efficiency and strategic reach. As production ramps up in India, the initiative is expected to create jobs, boost local industry, and strengthen India’s position in global defence manufacturing.
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