India has achieved a key milestone in defence aviation manufacturing as the first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 has been completed at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara and is now ready for its flight test.
The development marks a significant step in the country’s effort to build indigenous military aircraft capability under the Make in India initiative.
Indian Air Force Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti recently visited the final assembly line at the Vadodara plant to assess progress on the first India-made C-295 aircraft.
According to the IAF, the aircraft is being prepared for its inaugural flight and represents a major advancement in domestic aerospace manufacturing under the partnership between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus.
India–Spain C-295 programme framework
The Vadodara facility was inaugurated on October 28, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
India has signed a ₹21,935 crore contract with Spain for 56 C-295 aircraft. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft are being delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 are being manufactured in India under the Make in India programme.
Role of C-295 in IAF fleet modernisation
The Airbus C-295 will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 fleet. It is a medium tactical transport aircraft designed for troop movement, cargo carriage, medical evacuation, and special operations.
The aircraft can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers, or 24 medical stretchers. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines and features short take-off and landing capability, allowing operations from rugged, semi-prepared and short airstrips, including remote and mountainous regions.
Each aircraft is also being fitted with a customised indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
Manufacturing ecosystem and industrial scope
Under the programme, Tata acts as the Indian Aircraft Contractor (IAC) responsible for end-to-end manufacturing activities, including production of detailed parts, final assembly, engine and avionics testing and installation, rainwater testing, flight testing, and long-term fleet support, modifications and upgrades.
The initiative is designed to develop advanced aerospace capabilities within India and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing infrastructure.
Scale of Make in India production push
India has become the largest customer for the C-295 platform with an order of 56 aircraft.
The Make in India programme will ensure more than 85% structural work and final assembly of 40 aircraft is carried out domestically, along with the production of over 13,000 detailed parts in India. A total of 21 specialised processes have been certified, and 37 India-based suppliers from both public and private sectors have been integrated into the supply chain.
