New Delhi : As part of ‘Make in India’, the Tata group will manufacture the C-295, a French transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force in Vadodara. The first 16 aircraft will be produced in Spain and European company Airbus will deliver to India in ‘flying mode’ within four years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a manufacturing plant in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 30 to manufacture the remaining 40 aircraft.
According to a Defencse Ministry spokesperson, the Tata group will manufacture 40 French transport aircraft C-295 for the Air Force in Vadodara. A deal with Spanish company Airbus Defence and Space to buy 56 C-295 transport military transport aircraft was finalised on 24 September last year. It was decided at that time that within 48 months of the signing of the contract, the Spanish company would supply 16 aircraft to India in ‘flying mode’. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured by the Tata consortium in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a manufacturing plant in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 30.
Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh told that the Indian Air Force will eventually become the largest operator of this C-295 transport aircraft, the transport aircraft will be manufactured from the highest indigenous materials. A Defence Ministry official said that the aircraft made in India will be supplied between 2026 and 2031, while 16 aircraft from Spain will come between 2023 and 2025. 96 percent of the transport aircraft will be manufactured at the Indian plant. The electronic warfare suite for the aircraft will be made by state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Defense Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar said that apart from manufacturing 40 aircraft at Vadodara, Gujarat, this plant will manufacture additional aircraft for the needs of the Air Force and for exports.
A Defence Ministry spokesman said the project would involve the development of specialized infrastructure in the form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiways. There are plans to set up a ‘D’ level servicing facility to start manufacturing the aircraft in India before the 16 aircraft are directly supplied from Spain. The facility is expected to act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of the C-295 aircraft. In addition, OEMs will also discharge their offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian offset partners, which will further boost the economy. This program is a unique initiative of the Government of India to strengthen indigenous capabilities and promote ‘Make in India’.