Marking a major step in strengthening its airlift capabilities, India has received the final batch of 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft, completing the first phase of a significant defence acquisition programme.
The formal handover ceremony took place at Airbus’s assembly line in Seville, Spain, where Indian Ambassador Dinesh K Patnaik and senior officials of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were present.
The delivery is notable for being two months ahead of schedule, a milestone acknowledged by the Embassy of India in Madrid via social media platform X.
Key Details of the C-295 Programme
Under the ₹21,000 crore contract signed in 2021, a total of 56 C-295 aircraft will be delivered to the IAF:
- 16 aircraft were manufactured and delivered by Airbus in Spain.
- The remaining 40 aircraft will be produced in India by TATA Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) at a new state-of-the-art facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The landmark TATA-Airbus manufacturing facility was jointly inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in October 2024, making it the first private-sector aircraft manufacturing project in India.
Boost to ‘Make in India’ and Defence Readiness
The C-295 project is a flagship initiative under ‘Make in India’ and aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign military platforms.
The C-295 aircraft, known for its short takeoff and landing capabilities and versatility in tactical transport, will replace the ageing Avro fleet of the IAF.
Defence experts view this early delivery as a boost to India’s operational preparedness, especially in high-altitude and forward areas. The indigenous assembly of 40 aircraft is expected to bolster India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, generate thousands of jobs, and strengthen strategic self-reliance.
With the final batch of Airbus C-295 aircraft now received, India enters the next phase of indigenous production in Vadodara. The move not only enhances the IAF’s logistical capabilities but also marks a historic shift toward domestic defence production, underscoring India’s emergence as a global defence manufacturing hub.
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