Modi and Sanchez Inaugurate India's First Private Military Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in Vadodara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez have inaugurated the Tata Advanced System Limited (TASL)-Airbus facility. This facility will manufacture C-295 military aircraft in India. It marks the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in the country. Modi highlighted that this initiative will enhance India-Spain relations and support the 'Make in India, Make for the World' mission.

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The agreement with Airbus Defence and Space was finalised in September 2021. It involves a deal worth nearly Rs 21,000 crore to procure 56 C-295 transport aircraft. These will replace the ageing Avro-748 planes of the Indian Air Force. This project is significant as it is the first time a private company will manufacture military aircraft in India.

Manufacturing Milestone and Future Prospects

The Tata-Airbus facility is set to export aircraft in the future. Modi expressed optimism that this manufacturing ecosystem could eventually lead to civil aircraft production in India. Sanchez announced that the first aircraft from this facility is expected to be ready by 2026.

Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver the initial 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its Seville, Spain assembly line within four years. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by TASL in India. This forms part of an industrial partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.

Collaborative Efforts and Ecosystem Development

The facility will encompass a comprehensive ecosystem, covering manufacture, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout the aircraft's life cycle. In addition to Tata, major defence public sector units like Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, along with private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will contribute to this programme.

Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022. Earlier on Monday morning, both leaders participated in a roadshow covering a 2.5-km stretch from the airport to the Tata Advanced Systems Limited facility.

This collaboration between India and Spain signifies a significant step forward in India's defence manufacturing capabilities. It also strengthens bilateral ties while promoting domestic production under the 'Make in India' initiative.