PM Modi and Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez Inaugurate Tata-Airbus Manufacturing Facility in Gujarat, Marking a New Era in Indian Defence Manufacturing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, inaugurated the Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday, an event seen as a significant milestone for India’s defense and aerospace sector. The new facility, developed by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL), will produce C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), aligning with the “Make in India, Make for the World” mission.
PM Modi, highlighting his ten-year tenure, emphasized how the decisions made over the last decade have opened doors for domestic defense manufacturing in India. “This facility reflects New India’s dedication to self-reliance in defense,” he said, paying tribute to the legacy of the late Ratan Tata. PM Modi noted that the rapid construction of the facility—completed in just over a year since October 2022—demonstrated a transformation in India’s manufacturing capabilities and commitment to modernization.
The Tata-Airbus plant represents India’s first private-sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft, setting a new benchmark in the country’s aerospace industry. Under the C-295 program, a total of 56 aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force, with the first 16 planes coming directly from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India at this facility. This partnership strengthens India’s defense autonomy, moving it from an importer to a potential exporter in the aviation industry.
Expressing optimism, PM Modi stated that this facility not only meets growing demands in the civil aviation sector but positions India as a future leader in aircraft exports. He further mentioned that had the government not taken strategic steps ten years ago, achieving this would have been unlikely, as India was previously focused on imports. Now, with initiatives like the Tata-Airbus project, India is setting ambitious goals for self-reliance in defense production and laying the groundwork for a global footprint in aircraft manufacturing.
This new facility represents a pivotal development for India’s defense manufacturing landscape, supporting India’s goal of becoming a key player in the global aviation sector.
