Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, President Pedro Sanchez, were inaugurated on Monday India’s first private military transport aircraft manufacturing factory in Gujarat’s Vadodra. It is India’s first final assembly line in the private aviation industry. What this means is that planes, ready to take to the skies, will roll out of the factory.

The facility, located on the campus of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), will be responsible for manufacturing the Airbus C295 aircraft, marking a major milestone for India’s aerospace industry, manufacturing ecosystem and defense capabilities.

According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ‘Make in India’ project is a game changer for India in several respects and will also boost India’s ambition to export aircraft.

Here are five points why the C295 aircraft and the fact that it is ‘Made in India’ will be a game changer for India.

1. C295 AIRPLANES TACTICALLY INCREASE INDIAN DEFENSE

The induction of the C295 aircraft into the Indian Air Force (IAF) marks a substantial upgrade to the country’s tactical airlift capabilities. The aircraft, designed and manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space, is versatile and can perform a variety of missions including troop transport, cargo airlift, medical evacuation and maritime patrol.

The C295 will replace the aging fleet of Soviet Antonov An-32 and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Avro 748.

“The Airbus C295 is a technological leap forward compared to the Avro 748,” wrote defense expert Kunal Biswas on X.

The C295’s ability to operate from short and unpaved runways makes it ideal for navigating challenging terrain, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and along India’s strategic maritime boundary.

With its top cruise speed of 482 km/h and the ability to carry up to nine tonnes of cargo or 71 soldiers or 48 paratroopers, the C295 significantly enhances the IAF’s operational readiness and flexibility.

A battle-tested twin-turboprop, the C295 also has the capability of cargo dropping, electronic signal intelligence, medical evacuations, maritime patrol and refueling, making it a versatile choice for the Indian Armed Forces.

2. C295, A BOOST FOR ‘MAKE IN INDIA’

The C295 project has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, which aim to reduce dependence on imports and promote domestic manufacturing.

A total of 56 aircraft are planned under the C-295 programme, with Airbus delivering the first 16 C295 aircraft in ready-to-fly condition from the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be built and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at the new factory in Vadodara.

As of today, five C-295s have been delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The first C295 landed in India in September 2023.

The inaugural ‘Made in India’ C295 aircraft is expected to be rolled out in September 2026, while the remaining units are expected to be delivered in August 2031.

3. JOB CREATION AND STIMULATION OF THE DEFLECTIVE ECOSYSTEM

The Tata-Airbus C295 project is expected to have a profound impact on employment and the local economy.

The establishment of the C295 manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, is expected to diversify the Indian aerospace industry, which has traditionally been concentrated in southern regions such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Belgaum.

According to a PTI report, the partnership will directly create more than 3,000 jobs across locations and support more than 15,000 indirect jobs in the supply chain. The assembly of each aircraft will require more than 1 million hours of labor effort from TASL and its suppliers, promoting a skilled workforce.

In addition, the project will promote the growth of supporting sectors, including those involved in the production of components and the provision of services.

The commercial and financial benefits of the C295 production facility are expected to have a significant trickle-down effect.

4. BUILDING INDIA’S AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE

The introduction of the C295 aircraft also implies the establishment of an extensive training and maintenance infrastructure. Training facilities are being developed to train IAF personnel in the efficient operation and maintenance of the C295 aircraft.

This includes setting up maintenance facilities, spare parts supply chains and long-term support agreements to ensure the continued airworthiness of India’s C295 fleet.

Further, the project includes setting up a Stick Holding Depot at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and a training center at the Air Force Station in Agra, according to the MyGovIndia X handle.

This will help India’s nascent civil and military aviation industry, which is now dominated by foreign players such as Boeing, Airbus, ATR and public sector manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

5. C295 PROJECT SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS AVIATION EXPORTS

The C295 project is not only important for India’s domestic needs, but also holds great promise for future export opportunities.

The Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will not only further India’s aircraft export ambitions but also help produce the country’s first civilian aircraft, Prime Minister Modi said in Vadodra.

After completing the delivery of 56 aircraft to the IAF, Airbus Defense and Space will be allowed to sell the Indian-manufactured aircraft to civil operators and export them to countries approved by the Indian government. This is in line with the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative, which positions India as a competitive player in the global aerospace market dominated by European and American players.

In conclusion, the inauguration of the C295 aircraft manufacturing plant in Vadodara marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards self-reliance and excellence in aerospace and is proving to be a game changer.