India to fast-track procurement of 15 more Airbus C-295 aircraft, 12 to be built at TATA plant in Gujarat
India is all set to accelerate the procurement of 15 additional Airbus C-295 transport aircraft, in addition to the 56 already under contract. Of these, 12 will be manufactured domestically by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), while the remaining three will be supplied in fly-away condition, as per official sources, according to The Hindu.
On October 28, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, where C-295 aircraft will be produced. "This facility represents the first private-sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft in India, supporting a full ecosystem that spans from manufacturing to testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance," noted a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
India’s immediate needs call for three of the 15 new aircraft to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 12 will feature an indigenization level of 78% as requested by the Defence Ministry, noted one official. These 15 aircraft will be adapted for maritime reconnaissance, a capability under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Defence Ministry inked a ₹21,935 crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain, in September 2021 for 56 aircraft. Of these, 16 will be delivered ready-made from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be built locally by TASL at the Vadodara facility in collaboration with Airbus.
Set up in record time, the Vadodara facility will contribute to producing key C-295 components and assemblies in India, according to a source. Six aircraft have already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the first aircraft delivered in September 2023. The last of the initial 16 fly-away units is expected by August 2025.
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| Airbus C-295 based Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Representative Image) |
The first Indian-manufactured C-295 will roll out of Vadodara by September 2026, with all 40 units due by August 2031. These aircraft are designed to replace the IAF’s HS-748 Avro fleet. Additionally, a mission simulator has already been installed at Agra Air Force Station to support training.
TASL’s indigenous contribution to the aircraft production will start at 48% for the first 16 aircraft and rise to 75% for the remaining 24, sources said. While the engine and avionics will be sourced globally, most structural components will be manufactured in India. Of the approximately 14,000 parts in each C-295, about 13,000 will be produced in India, with 37 companies—primarily micro, small, and medium enterprises—identified by Airbus to participate in this production.
Domestic manufacturing has progressed considerably. The Hyderabad main component assembly facility received its certificate of approval in February 2024, furthering local capabilities in the aircraft’s production.
In terms of employment, this project is expected to create approximately 600 direct skilled jobs, over 3,000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3,000 medium-skill opportunities. Airbus plans to transfer increasing production labor to India, starting at 78% for the first five aircraft and reaching 96% for the remaining 35 units. The project will involve over 42.5 lakh man-hours, benefiting India’s aerospace and defense sectors.
All 56 C-295 aircraft will be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite, produced by Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited. Known for its versatility, the C-295 is a next-generation tactical airlift aircraft with a 9.5-ton payload capacity, built for effective operation in all weather conditions, day or night.
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