Tue Oct 29 17:18:35 UTC 2024: ## India Inaugurates Assembly Line for Airbus C295 Military Transport Aircraft
**Vadodara, India -** A new final assembly line (FAL) complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, has been inaugurated by Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). This facility will support the production of C295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), a major milestone in the country’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
The inauguration comes three years after the IAF signed a contract to acquire 56 C295 aircraft, replacing their aging Avro 748M fleet. The agreement includes the production and assembly of 40 aircraft in India, with TASL as a key partner.
The FAL complex in Vadodara will oversee the complete manufacturing process, from detailed parts and tooling to major component assemblies. TASL’s Hyderabad facility has already begun production of C295 components, with the first set of parts now shipped to Vadodara for assembly.
The first domestically produced C295 aircraft is expected to roll out of the Vadodara FAL in September 2026. The facility will then ramp up production to deliver the remaining aircraft to the IAF by August 2031, fulfilling the contract’s requirements.
This joint venture signifies a significant step towards India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The C295 program not only strengthens the IAF’s capabilities but also fosters a strategic partnership between Airbus and India’s domestic defense industry.
First Piper 