October 31, 2022
4 mins read

C-295 aircraft facility a big boost to ‘Aatmanirbharta’

The facility will be utilised for the manufacturing of 40 C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, a report by Nishant Ketu

As part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India policy in the defence sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the C295 aircraft manufacturing facility – the first aircraft manufacturing facility in the private sector in the country.

On this occasion, Modi said that this is the government’s clear vision to make India ‘Aatmnirbhar’, especially in defence sector. “For this, we have taken many steps. The aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara is India’s giant leap towards becoming self-reliant in the aviation sector.”

PM further said that India is becoming a big manufacturing hub for the world.

“Make in India, make for the globe. Transport aircraft will give strength to our forces, as well as a new eco-system will develop for the aircraft manufacturing sector. India’s aviation sector is rapidly growing. This a golden opportunity for the world to invest in India. A new saga of economic reforms is being written in India today,” he said.

The facility will be utilised for the manufacturing of 40 C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, through collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain. The facility will be a key step towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector, and will also help unlock the potential of the private players in the sector.

PM Modi also visited an exhibition showcasing technological and manufacturing strides in the aerospace industry under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said that with the setting up of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, the Tata Group will now be able to take aluminium ingots at one end of the value stream and turn it into an Airbus C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force. This is a historic moment not only for the Tata Group but for the country, as it embraces the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of being true ‘Atmanirbhar’.

On this occasion, Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer said, “We are honoured to play a role in this historic moment for aerospace in India. Our Airbus teams are committed to supporting the modernisation of the Indian Air Force with the C295 programme, which will also contribute to the development of the private defence manufacturing sector in the country.”

The C295 programme, in partnership with the trusted Tata Group, is strongly aligned with the Government of India’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), he added.

It is notable that in September 2021, India formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet. It is the first ‘Make in India’ aerospace programme in the private sector, involving the development of a complete industrial ecosystem-from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.

This will be the first time in the Indian private sector that an aircraft will be manufactured in-country. from parts to final assembly. The Programme will lead to the development of a strong private industrial aerospace ecosystem in India and will create more than 15,000 skilled direct and indirect jobs across the aerospace ecosystem, and over 125 suppliers qualified on global quality standards across India.

The IAF became the 35th C295 operator worldwide. Till date, the programme counts 285 orders, with more than 200 aircraft delivered, 38 operators from 34 countries as well as 17 orders repeated. In 2021, the C295 achieved more than half-a-million flight hours.

With a proven capability of operating from short or unprepared airstrips, the C295 is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft. It can airdrop paratroops and loads and can also be used for casualty or medical evacuation. The aircraft can perform special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

The C295 is the most versatile and efficient tactical transport aircraft. It is robust and reliable but also highly versatile in terms of the number of different missions it can perform. The C295 conducts multi-role operations worldwide under all weather conditions. It is fully certified and routinely operates day and night in combat missions in all weather extremes, from desert to maritime environments, from extremely hot to extremely cold temperatures. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Need zero tolerance to all forms of terror, says Murmu

Previous Story

With big rallies, BJP aims ‘Mission Repeat’ in Himachal

Next Story

Chinese couple arrested in Lanka for crypto fraud

Latest from India News

No Talks Till Terror Ends: India to Pakistan

The MEA’s strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India….reports

Accel Puts India’s AI Power in the Spotlight

Under the theme “Engineering India’s AI Advantage,” the exclusive, invite-only event will bring together leading AI founders, researchers, tech CXOs, policymakers, and global investors….reports Asian Lite News Global venture capital firm Accel

Rain Rules Roads

People walk with umbrellas, and vehicles move slowly as rain lashes Mumbai, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Photos from IANS and ANI)

Deshpande Set for England

IPL 2025 marked Deshpande’s return, and despite modest returns (9 wickets in 10 games at 10.63 economy), Mumbai bowling consultant Kulkarni backs him to thrive in England with the Dukes ball. There

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India’s car buying budget up 30% in 2022

Last year, every two minutes, users enquired about the mileage

‘Our vision is to make India a global defence manufacturing hub’

The Defence Minister was addressing the 94th Annual General Meeting