New Delhi: In a major boost for India’s defense capabilities, PM Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara district on Monday, along with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez. Once comes into being, the complex will help in providing C-295 military aircraft to the Indian Air Force. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the complex in October 2022.
Notably, this complex is a part of the Rs 21,000 crore agreement that India had with Spanish company Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) in 2021 for the supply of 56 C-295 aircraft to the IAF. The aircraft is currently being manufactured by the Spanish company at its San Pablo Sur plant.
C-295 aircraft has the potential to carry 71 troops
While the aircraft has the potential to carry a total of 71 troops, it can also be used for medical evacuation. The aircraft can also land and take off on unpaved runways, Fortune India said in its report. According to the agreement between the two sides, while 16 C-295 aircraft will be manufactured by the Spanish company, the remaining will be built in India.
After the agreement, Airbus DS chose Tata Advanced System Limited (TASL) as its Indian partner. As per the pact between the two sides, while the key machinery and engine will be imported from the Spanish company, the body, and other components will be built at the Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) in Hyderabad. Importantly, while the first ‘Made in India’ C-295 aircraft will be rolled out from the Vadodara facility in September 2026, the last one will be handed over to the IAF by August 2031.
Facility to also offer maintenance, and other services of these aircraft to IAF
The facility will also offer maintenance and services of these 56 aircraft to the IAF. Airbus DS had first delivered C-295 aircraft manufactured by it in September 2023, while the last one was delivered in May 2024.
