Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez lauded the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) project as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s industrial prowess and its ability to attract global investment. Sanchez highlighted the partnership’s potential to bolster India’s aerospace industry and pave the way for further collaboration with European companies.
The inauguration of the TASL facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, marked a significant milestone for India’s defence and aerospace sector. This joint venture between TASL and Airbus, the European aerospace giant inaugurated on Monday, is set to manufacture the C-295 transport aircraft, a strategic acquisition for the Indian Air Force.
“Today we are not only officially inaugurating a cutting-edge industrial facility, but also witnessing how an extraordinary project between two emblematic companies becomes a reality,” Sanchez stated. “This is another triumph of your vision, Prime Minister Modi, to turn India into an industrial powerhouse.”
He further hailed the partnership as a perfect blend of strengths, with Tata representing Indian industrial might and Airbus symbolising European technological innovation. The event served as a powerful symbol of the growing collaboration between India and Spain, reinforcing their commitment to strategic partnership.
“This project brings together the best of two worlds,” Sanchez continued. “Tata is probably the best exponent of Indian industrial strength, its products and services are present in virtually every country on the planet. Tata is a giant among giants. As for Airbus, it embodies the very essence of a united Europe, committed to technological innovation and the creation of jobs and prosperity.”
Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “We are giving a new direction to India and Spain’s partnership. We are inaugurating the production factory of C-295 aircraft. This factory will strengthen India-Spain relations as well as the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission … ”
PM Modi also remembered Ratan Tata in his speech. “Recently, we lost the country’s great son Ratan Tata ji. If he had been among us today, he would have been happy, but wherever his soul is, he would be happy. This C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of New India … When I was the Gujarat CM, it was decided to set up a factory in Vadodara to build train coaches. The factory was also prepared for production within a record time. Today, we are exporting the metro coaches manufactured in that factory to other countries. I am confident that in the future, the aircraft made in this factory will also be exported to other countries…”
The inauguration also saw N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, commit to delivering the first indigenously manufactured C-295 aircraft within two years. “The final aircraft assembly complex for the first aircraft to be delivered is being set up here. I must commit to our Prime Minister that exactly two years from now, we will deliver the first indigenously manufactured aircraft,” Chandrasekaran declared, adding that Tata had already trained 200 engineers in Spain and partnered with over 40 SME companies to build the necessary localised expertise.
