Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officiate the rollout of the first military transport aircraft assembled in India by the Tata-Airbus joint venture later this year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defence manufacturing journey.
A Milestone for “Make in India” in Aerospace
The aircraft in focus is the Airbus C295, a medium-lift military transport aircraft that will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence following its assembly at the Vadodara facility in Gujarat — a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space. This rollout is expected in the second half of 2026, with PM Modi likely to preside over the event.
This is the first “Made in India” project from Tata-Airbus’ Vadodara assembly line, reflecting a significant step toward self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing.
High Local Content and Production Plans
In manufacturing the C295 aircraft, approximately 70 % of components are sourced in India, while the remaining 30 % — including engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney (U.S.) — are imported.
Under India’s contract with the Defence Ministry:
- 16 aircraft have already been delivered from Airbus’ Spanish facility.
- 40 aircraft are scheduled to be produced and delivered from the Vadodara line, forming the majority of the total 56-aircraft order for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Airbus officials have noted that transitioning production to India is “a big step,” with all subsequent aircraft coming from the domestic assembly line.
Broader Industrial and Strategic Impact
The Tata-Airbus final assembly line in Vadodara — inaugurated in October 2024 — illustrates India’s expanding role in defence manufacturing and the effectiveness of the “Make in India” initiative. The facility is not only fulfilling IAF commitments but is also expected to support future deliveries to regional markets, representing a potential export and industrial growth frontier.
Additionally, Airbus’ growing footprint in India, including expanded engineering and digital operations and relocating its Bengaluru office to a larger campus, signals deeper integration with Indian talent and industry.
A Transformative Development for Indian Defence
This event is poised to be a transformative milestone — combining domestic skill development, investment in high-technology manufacturing, global aerospace partnerships, and future defence export potential — all while strengthening India’s strategic manufacturing base.
