Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday jointly inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Gujarat's Vadodara which will manufacture India's first privately built C-295 aircraft . The facility is the subcontinent's first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft , marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of 'Atmanirbharta' in defence.

In 2021, India’s Ministry of Defence signed a ₹21,935-crore agreement with Airbus defence and Space SA, Spain, to supply 56 C-295 transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force ’s aging Avro-748 planes.

Under this contract, 16 planes are to be delivered fully assembled from Spain, while the remaining 40 are to be assembled in India at the new TASL facility in Vadodara.

According to officials, the first aircraft produced locally in Vadodara will be completed by September 2026, with all 40 units scheduled for delivery by August 2031.

"This factory will strengthen India-Spain relations as well as ' Make in India , Make for the World' mission," PM Modi said pointing out the significance of the new manufacturing facility.

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"This C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of New India.

.. I am confident that in the future, the aircraft made in this factory will also be exported to other countries," PM Modi added.

Here're the top features of C-295 aircraft The C-295 aircraft, designed with a focus on efficiency, is making headlines for its high availability rates and versatility.

The aircraft, produced by Airbus, is known for its lightweight design, lower maintenance, and operational costs.

The C-295 is a multi-role tactical airlifter, adept at handling various missions, such as logistics, rescue, and support.

It showcases a broad range of features that enhance its performance in diverse scenarios.

The aircraft's name, "C-295," is derived from "C" for CASA, the original manufacturer, "2" for its two engines, and "95" for its 9.5-tonne payload capacity.

This naming highlights its design and performance attributes.

With a more robust Pratt and Whitney Canada PW100 engine that delivers 2,645 hp, and a redesigned wing, the C-295 excels in performance over its predecessor.

It is known for having a new and powerful propeller system.

The C-295 has proven its combat capabilities in long deployments, operating in challenging regions like Chad, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

It has flown up to 100 hours per month during such missions, demonstrating reliability.

The aircraft's reliability was evident during an EUFOR mission in Chad, where two Spanish Air Force C-295s each logged approximately 160 flight hours per month over 11 months.

It achieved availability rates over 95%. Additionally, the C-295 can refuel other aircraft, both rotary and fixed-wing, with its capacity to offload up to 6 tons of fuel.

The plane is equipped with a fuel probe to extend its range and can operate as a tanker for other C-295s or helicopters.

(With TOI inputs)