At the Airbus Defence and Space production facility in Seville, Spain, the final 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft were delivered to Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K. Patnaik and top Indian Air Force officers. The fact that this delivery was finished two months early highlights a critical turning point in enhancing India’s defense capabilities.
A highly adaptable and dependable tactical transport aircraft, the Airbus C-295 is built for a variety of missions, such as medical evacuation, VIP transport, airborne firefighting, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance and reconnaissance, signals intelligence, armed close air support, and troop and cargo transport.
With more than 300 aircraft under contract worldwide, it is recognized as the most effective and adaptable multi-role tactical airlifter in the world. It also has an exceptional dependability record and daily operational efficiency.
For about USD 2.5 billion, India and Airbus Spain have a purchase deal for 56 C-295 aircraft. The first 16 of them have been sent from Spain, and TATA Advanced Systems will produce the other 40 in their Gujarat factory in India.
This project, which aims to increase local aerospace production and self-reliance, is the first “Make in India” effort in the defense aviation industry. An estimated 15,000 direct high-skilled employment, 10,000 indirect jobs, and the integration of 125 domestic MSMEs into the aerospace supply chain are anticipated outcomes of the manufacturing in India.
On September 13, 2023, in Seville, the first C-295 aircraft were turned over to the Indian government under the direction of former Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. This marked the official beginning of this defense agreement.
Beyond the actual delivery, this partnership has strengthened India-Spain bilateral defense ties and is an example of the increasing convergence of global supply chains, technological development, and defense cooperation.
Because of its adaptability to India’s varied terrain and range of operational duties, the C-295 aircraft is an essential component of the Indian Air Force’s tactical transport and mission capabilities.
With a total of 56 aircraft being purchased and a significant portion being produced domestically by Tata Advanced Systems, the early delivery of the final batch of 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft from Spain to India represents a significant milestone in India’s defense modernization and highlights the advancement of the Make in India initiative in the aerospace sector.
