September 21, 2026 08:17 am (IST)
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C-295
First India-made C-295 aircraft ready for flight test at Tata-Airbus Vadodara plant
India has achieved a major milestone in defence aviation manufacturing as the first Airbus C-295 transport aircraft assembled in the country is now ready for flight testing at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara.
The development marks a significant step in the Centre’s Make in India initiative and strengthens India’s ambition to become a major hub for military aircraft production.
The Indian Air Force said Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti recently visited the final assembly line at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited-Airbus plant in Vadodara.
During the visit, he reviewed progress on the first C-295 aircraft manufactured in India and assessed preparations for its maiden flight test.
The programme is being executed under India’s Rs 21,935 crore contract with Spain for 56 Airbus C-295 medium transport aircraft.
The programme is being executed under India’s Rs 21,935 crore contract with Spain for 56 Airbus C-295 medium transport aircraft.
Under the agreement, 16 aircraft are being delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 are being manufactured in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez jointly inaugurated the final assembly line in Vadodara on October 28, 2024.
C-295 to replace ageing Avro fleet
The Airbus C-295 will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 transport aircraft, which have served for decades.
The new platform will substantially enhance the force’s tactical airlift capability and support a wide range of missions, including troop transport, cargo movement, medical evacuation and special operations.
The aircraft can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers or 24 stretchers for casualty evacuation.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines, the C-295 can operate from short and semi-prepared runways, including those in remote and mountainous regions.
Indigenous electronic warfare suite onboard
Each India-bound C-295 will be equipped with an indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
The inclusion of locally developed mission systems is expected to increase indigenous content and enhance operational capability.
As the Indian Aircraft Contractor, Tata Advanced Systems Limited is responsible for detailed parts manufacturing, final assembly, avionics integration, engine installation, flight testing and long-term maintenance support.
The project has brought a large domestic industrial ecosystem into the aerospace supply chain.
More than 13,000 aircraft parts are being manufactured in India, with 37 Indian companies from the public and private sectors contributing to the programme.
India is currently the largest customer for the Airbus C-295 platform.
For the 40 aircraft being produced in India, more than 85 percent of the structural work and final assembly will be completed domestically.
#India-made C-295 aircraft
# Tata Airbus Vadodara plant
# Airbus C-295 India
# Make in India defence
# Indian Air Force C-295
# Tata Advanced Systems Limited
# Narendra Modi defence manufacturing
# Pedro Sánchez India visit
# Bharat Electronics Limited
# Bharat Dynamics Limited
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