India has achieved a major milestone in its indigenous military aircraft production as the first domestically produced C-295 transport aircraft has been assembled at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The aircraft is now ready for flight testing, marking a significant step forward for the country's aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, recently visited the final assembly line of the C-295 at Vadodara to obtain a first-hand update on the progress of the first made-in-India military transport aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) shared the update on social media platform X, stating that the Deputy Chief visited the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility where the first C-295 under the Make in India initiative is preparing for its inaugural flight.
The program, executed in partnership between TASL and Airbus, represents a major advancement in indigenous aerospace manufacturing and is a significant step towards achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The Vadodara plant was inaugurated on October 28, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez.
Contract and Production Details
India had signed a Rs 21,935 crore contract with Spain for 56 C-295 transport aircraft. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft are being supplied directly from Spain in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 are planned to be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative. The project is being hailed as a major success for the government's efforts to reduce India's dependence on imported defence aircraft.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier stated that the first made-in-India C-295 aircraft would roll out before September 2026. The Airbus C-295 will replace the ageing Avro-748 fleet of the IAF. It is a medium tactical military transport aircraft designed for troop movement, cargo transport, medical evacuation, and special operations missions. The aircraft can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers, or 24 medical stretchers.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The C-295 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines and is equipped with short take-off and landing capabilities. It can operate from rugged, semi-prepared, and short airstrips, making it ideal for Indian operational requirements, especially in mountainous regions and remote forward bases. Each of the 56 aircraft is being equipped with a custom, indigenous electronic warfare (EW) suite built by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
This achievement underscores the progress of India's defence manufacturing sector and reinforces the country's commitment to self-reliance in military aviation.
