Tue Oct 29 06:02:06 UTC 2024: ## India Inaugurates First Private Military Aircraft Assembly Line, Boosting Indigenous Defense
**Vadodara, India** – In a significant step towards India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Airbus C295 facility in Vadodara, Gujarat on Monday. This marks the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.
The facility will see the production of 40 C-295 transport aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems, replacing the Indian Air Force’s existing Avro-748 planes. The first locally produced aircraft is scheduled for completion by September 2026, with all 40 units expected to be delivered by August 2031.
The C295 project boasts a high degree of indigenization, with around 13,000 out of 14,000 parts to be manufactured in India, using local raw materials. This includes components, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance, contributing significantly to the nation’s growing defense industry.
“This ecosystem will pave the way for Made in India civil aircraft in the future,” said PM Modi, highlighting the potential for further expansion in the aviation sector.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the project, emphasizing its importance for the private sector’s role in defense manufacturing. “The C-295 project is a huge accomplishment for the Indian private industry as it is the first project of its kind in which a complete military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company,” he stated.
While 16 C-295 aircraft will be delivered from Spain, the Vadodara facility will assemble the remaining 40 units, marking a major step towards India’s goal of becoming a global aerospace hub.
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