India’s First Private Military Aircraft Plant Inaugurated in Vadodara
India Inaugurates First Private Military Aircraft Plant in Collaboration with Airbus
In a landmark event for India’s defense and aerospace sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, in October 2024. The Tata Aircraft Complex, developed in collaboration with Airbus Spain, is set to manufacture the Airbus C-295 transport military aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This initiative is part of a $2.5 billion deal under which Airbus will initially supply 16 aircraft, while Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) will manufacture an additional 40 aircraft in India starting in 2026. The move aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, boosting indigenous defense production and reducing dependency on foreign defense equipment.
The C-295 aircraft, known for its versatility, will replace the IAF’s aging Avro fleet and enhance India’s military transport capabilities. The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs and strengthen India’s position as an emerging hub in global defense manufacturing. This milestone signifies a major step forward in Indo-Spanish defense collaboration and is expected to accelerate India’s aerospace self-sufficiency in the coming years.