India is on the verge of a major milestone in its defence and aerospace sector with the first “Made-in-India” C-295 military transport aircraft expected to roll out from the Tata-Airbus assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, before September 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced during talks with Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
India’s First ‘Made-in-India’ C-295 Aircraft Set to Roll Out Before September 2026
A Leap Forward for Indigenous Aviation
The C-295 programme signifies a landmark achievement in India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities under the “Make in India” initiative. The aircraft will be assembled at the Airbus-Tata Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, marking one of the first major military aircraft projects to be built in India by a private-sector facility.
The facility itself was jointly inaugurated in October 2024, and since then, India and Spain have worked closely on production and capability development. The expected rollout of the first indigenous C-295 underscores the expanding defence cooperation between the two nations and reflects India’s commitment to cultivating resilient and self-reliant manufacturing ecosystems.
Why the C-295 Matters
The C-295 is a medium-range, twin-engine tactical transport aircraft originally developed by the Spanish aerospace company CASA (now part of Airbus Defence and Space). It is designed to perform a wide variety of missions, including:
- Transporting troops, equipment and supplies
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations
- Medical evacuation and logistical support
Its ability to operate from short and semi-prepared runways makes it especially valuable for remote and challenging environments.
India signed a Rs. 21,935 crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space in 2021 for a total of 56 C-295 aircraft. Under this agreement, 16 aircraft were to be delivered in “fly-away” condition from Airbus’ facility in Seville, Spain, while the remaining 40 aircraft will be assembled domestically by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) at the Vadodara plant.
Boosting Self-Reliance and Economic Impact
The C-295 project goes well beyond simply adding aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet. It represents a major step in:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing
- Creation of high-skilled jobs in aerospace engineering
- Strengthening India’s industrial base through participation by numerous domestic suppliers
By building the aircraft locally, India moves away from complete dependence on imports and pushes forward its goal of fostering deeper technological and industrial capabilities at home.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Prospects
The announcement of the C-295’s domestic rollout also symbolises growing strategic and economic ties between India and Spain. During the discussions, both countries emphasised the importance of expanding collaboration, especially in defence, trade and technology. In 2026, India and Spain are commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations, further strengthening cultural and economic exchanges.
In addition to defence cooperation, Spain is backing efforts on broader economic fronts, including negotiations toward a comprehensive trade agreement between India and the European Union — a deal expected to form one of the largest free-trade arrangements globally, benefiting trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
