(Photo : https://x.com/DefProdnIndia)

• India's first private military aircraft assembly line, the Tata Aircraft Complex, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.
• The factory, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Spain, will produce the C-295 military tactical transport aircraft.
• The establishment of this factory marks a significant shift in India's defense manufacturing landscape, boosting its defense capabilities and creating a robust ecosystem for the domestic defense manufacturing sector.
• The inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex is a landmark event that signifies India's growing prowess in defense manufacturing and a step towards achieving self-reliance in defense production.

In a historic move that marks a significant milestone in India's defense manufacturing capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, is set to inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd's (TASL) Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat. This event, scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024, will witness the launch of India's first private assembly line for military aircraft.

The Tata Aircraft Complex, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Spain, will be dedicated to the production of the C-295 military tactical transport aircraft. This factory is a testament to the Indian government's flagship 'Make in India' initiative, aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing and transforming India into a global design and manufacturing hub.

The C-295 aircraft, a versatile machine capable of carrying up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel, is set to be a game-changer for the Indian Air Force (IAF). With a maximum speed of 480 kmph, the aircraft can operate from short or unprepared airstrips and has a rear ramp for para-dropping troops and cargo.

A New Era in Defense Manufacturing

The factory will produce 40 C-295 aircraft, marking a significant shift in India's defense manufacturing landscape. All aspects of the aircraft's lifecycle, from manufacturing and assembly to testing, delivery, and maintenance, will be handled within this facility. This move not only boosts India's defense capabilities but also creates a robust ecosystem for the domestic defense manufacturing sector.

The establishment of this factory follows a deal signed on September 24, 2021, between the Defense Ministry and Airbus Defense and Space SA. The agreement entails the purchase of 56 C-295 transport aircraft from Spain, with 16 aircraft being delivered directly from Spain and the remaining 40 being manufactured in India. The deal, worth Rs 21,935 crore, is a significant investment in enhancing India's defense capabilities.

As of now, Airbus has delivered six C-295s to the IAF, with the seventh aircraft expected to be delivered by the end of this year. The delivery of the 16 aircraft procured directly from Spain is slated to be completed by August 2025.

Strengthening India-Spain Relations

The inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex is not just a significant event in India's defense manufacturing sector but also marks a historic moment in India-Spain relations. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez's three-day visit to India, the first official visit by Spanish top leadership to India in 18 years, underscores the strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The first C-295 aircraft from the Tata-Airbus factory in Vadodara is expected to roll out in September 2026, with the remaining 39 aircraft scheduled for delivery by August 2031. The Tata Aircraft Complex is a significant step forward in India's journey towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex is reminiscent of similar initiatives in the past, such as the establishment of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1940, which marked the beginning of India's aerospace industry. Just as HAL played a crucial role in building India's aerospace capabilities, the Tata Aircraft Complex is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing India's defense manufacturing capabilities.