Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

Tata's new Air C295 aircraft
Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

About the C295 Aircraft Assembly Plant: The C-295 facility at Vadodara, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in Gujarat, reflects the dream of an emerging nation and is Tata-Airbus C-295, India’s first privately owned flagship. Built aircraft Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the inauguration of a Tata Aircraft Complex C-295 aircraft, aimed at strengthening India-Spain ties and promoting ‘Make in India, Make for the World’
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the final assembly line facility will be the first such private-sector plant for military aircraft in India. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a plant in Vadodara today, where Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) will manufacture C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was also present in Gujarat, with the two leaders laying the foundation stone of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant in October 2022. Soon after Narendra Modi came to power at the Center with his majority in 2014, he launched the ambitious “Make in India” initiative, putting it in mission mode. The main reason behind this push was his strong belief that a country as big as India cannot move forward without its manufacturing capacity and should not rely solely on imports, especially in the emerging global context. The mission factory is expected to support India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem and facilitate exports locally.

Tata's new Air C295 aircraft
Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

Assembled aircraft. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India’s first privately built C-295 aircraft at Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara Gujarat. PM Modi highlighted the significance of the new manufacturing facility. “This factory will strengthen the India-Spain relationship, along with the ‘Make in India, ‘Make for the World’ mission,” he said. The Prime Minister of Spain said this during the visit of Indian Minister Pedro Sanchez. He also paid tribute to the late Ratan Tata, revealing that Tata would have been happy with it. Inauguration “This C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of the new India… I am sure that. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
In future, the aircraft manufactured at this factory will be exported to other countries as well,” PM Modi added.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the facility will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. Here’s what to know about C295 and its implications for the Indian military.
There has been a rapid shift in government orientation, marking a clear divide between pre-2014 and post-2014 thought processes and actions. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
On Monday, October 28, the “Make in India” lion roared. The date is historically significant for India’s defense sector as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the Tata-Airbus C295 project – India’s first private facility for manufacturing military aircraft – in Vadodara. This is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured by a private company on Indian soil and marks an important step in India’s defense self-reliance. The project is designed to ensure that every phase of aircraft manufacturing is anchored in India, with more than 18,000 indigenous components contributing to the effort. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
The Prime Minister said that India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem has made significant progress due to government initiatives. He noted the changes brought about by the expansion of private sector participation and the growth of the public. Sector efficiency, and establishment of defense corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Tata's new Air C295 aircraft
Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

In 2021, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth Rs 21,935 crore with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain. 56 C-295 transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 fleet. 16 of them The aircraft are being assembled in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be assembled in-house at Tata. New Vadodara facility of advanced systems. The first locally assembled C-295 is expected by September 2026, with all 40 completed by August 2031. Of the total 56 C-295 aircraft designated for the Indian Air Force, 16 will be directly supplied by Airbus from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured locally under this joint venture. The first of these 40 aircraft is expected to enter service in 2026, replacing the Indian Air Force’s Successor Avra ​​aircraft by 2031. The C-295 will be used to strategically transport troops and paratroopers to hard-to-reach areas. airplane Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
The drive behind the manufacture of defense equipment and weapons in India, along with associated budget and policy support, stems from the belief that a strong, self-sustaining security infrastructure is crucial to a country’s economic prosperity and stability.
In September 2021, India signed a deal worth Rs 21,935 crore with Airbus Defense and Space to buy 56 C295 aircraft, the IAF’s older Avro-748 aircraft that entered service ce in the early 1960s. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
Under the contract, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain within four years. The next 40 aircraft will be manufactured by TASL in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
The 16 fly-away aircraft will be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025. On September 13, 2023, the IAF received the first of 56 aircraft in Spain. The first Made-in-India aircraft will roll out of the manufacturing facility in September 2026 and the remaining 39 will be built by August 2031.

Tata's new Air C295 aircraft
Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft

After completion of delivery, Airbus Defense and Space will be allowed to sell the manufactured aircraft in India to civilian operators and export them to countries approved by the Government of India. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
In 2019, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranked India among the top 25 global arms exporters for the first time, ranking the country 23rd. India aims to achieve defense exports of ₹35,000 crore by 2025. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
The percentage of defense expenditure on foreign procurement has come down from 46% in 2018-19 to 36.7% by December 2022, demonstrating the country’s commitment to self-reliance. India’s defense exports have grown from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to an impressive ₹21,083 crore in 2023-24, with export scope now expanding to more than 100 countries, emphasizing the quality and reliability of India-made military products. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
India’s defense budget has grown significantly, from Rs 2.03 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 5.93 lakh crore in 2023-24. The investment aims to modernize defense infrastructure and contribute to India achieving a peak defense manufacturing output of ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, up from ₹40,000 crore in 2013-14. Two major defense industrial corridors have been established in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, attracting investments of ₹7,000 crore to create an ecosystem that supports indigenous defense manufacturing.
In 2024, the defense procurement budget has earmarked ₹ 1,500 crore to support startups and MSMEs, signaling the government’s intent to nurture indigenous innovation. An estimated 8,000 MSMEs are currently working in the defense sector, to double this number in the coming years. Technical specifications released by Airbus state that the plane’s cabin dimensions are 12.7 meters or 41 feet eight inches. The company claims the aircraft has the longest enclosed cabin in its class and can accommodate 71 seats. The company also claims that the C295 can carry more cargo than its competitors with direct off-loading via the rear ramp. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
All 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous electronic warfare suites developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited. Former defense secretary Ajay Kumar said indigenous materials for aircraft will be at an all-time high in India and 96 percent of the work that will be done to make the aircraft in Airbus Spain will be done at the Vadodara-built unit. Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
As a tactical transport aircraft, the C295 can transport troops and logistical supplies from the country’s main airfields to operating airfields.

Tata's new Air C295 aircraft
Tata’s new Air C295 aircraft
It can also operate on small unprepared airstrips as it is capable of short take-off and landing (STOL). It can operate from short airstrips 2,200 feet long and conduct low-level operations for strategic missions at speeds as low as 110 knots, Airbus says. The Innovation for Defense Excellence (IDEX) initiative has emerged as a game-changer, with more than 400 startups and MSMEs participating to provide innovative solutions. The aircraft can additionally be used for casualty or medical treatment, performing special missions, disaster response, and maritime patrol duties.

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