PM Modi launches ₹22,000 cr project to build C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat

On Sunday, October 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the C-295 cargo aircraft production facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. Tata-Airbus will produce the C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. In addition to producing 40 aircraft, this Vadodara plant would also produce additional aircraft for the Air Force’s needs and exports.

When speaking to the audience gathered to witness PM Modi, he remarked, “The transport aircrafts that will be manufactured here will not only establish a new ecosystem of manufacturing aircraft but will also give power to our Army.  The first passenger aircraft with the “Make in India” label will soon be seen in India.

The Prime Minister added, “The Defense and Aerospace sectors would be two crucial pillars for creating India ‘Atmanirbhar’ in the coming years. Our defence manufacturing scale would reach $25 billion by 2025. This scale would be powered by the defence corridors being built in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

“Tomorrow, October 30th, will always be regarded as a significant day in our effort to achieve Atmanirbharta and become a centre for cutting-edge aviation infrastructure. Looking forward to the Vadodara event, “On Saturday, PM Modi stated in a tweet.

The following updates to this major story: 

• On a three-day trip to his home states, PM Modi was welcomed with open arms in Vadodara. In several regions of the state where the Assembly elections are anticipated to be announced soon, he is set to begin a number of initiatives.

• Tata-Airbus will produce the C-295 transport plane for the Indian Air Force, according to sources from the Defence Ministry. The facility is the result of a partnership between Spain-based Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

• According to Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar, this Vadodara factory will also produce additional aircraft for the Air Force’s needs and exports.

• IAF authorities announced that the first squadron of C-295 cargo aircraft for the Indian Air Force would also be located in Vadodara.

• The C-295 aircraft, which will replace the Air Force’s Avro-748 aircraft, are being produced outside of Europe for the first time.

• PM Modi will also go to a display showing the advancements made in manufacturing and technology in the aerospace sector by Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• The first 16 fly-away aircraft are expected to be delivered to the IAF between September 2023 and August 2025. The Indian-built aircraft would be supplied from 2026 to 2031.

• In September of last year, India and Airbus Defence and Space agreed to a deal worth 21.935 crores for the purchase of 56 C-295 aircraft to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 aircraft, which went into service in the early 1960s.

• According to the agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aeroplanes in “fly-away” condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, within four years, and the following 40 aeroplanes will be produced and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

• With more than 42.5 lakh man-hours of work in the aerospace and defence sector, the project is anticipated to create 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3,000 medium-skill employment prospects.

• A transport aircraft with a capacity of 5–10 tonnes and modern technology is the C-295MW. The plane can travel at a top speed of 480 kmph. The aircraft is equipped to handle special missions, disaster relief operations, and maritime patrol responsibilities. The aircraft can be utilised for casualty or medical evacuation as well as airdropping loads and paratroopers.

• Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised Maharashtra’s current chief minister, Eknath Shinde, for losing the Tata-Airbus project on October 20. This was the fourth significant project, according to Thackeray, for which other states were picked over Maharashtra.

“The foundation stone for an aircraft manufacturing plant is being set by the private sector today for the first time in the nation, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke at the event. For the entire nation and the defence industry, it is undoubtedly a source of pride.

It serves as both a foundation and a turning point in the “Atmanirbharta” path of the defence industry. Modern aircraft with higher capabilities and high standards will be produced at this plant under the C-295 programme. It will considerably increase the logistic capability of Indian Air Force,”

The ambitious manufacture in India programme of the Modi government has started India on the path of a huge transformation of its defence industry. In order to meet the Indian armed forces’ needs for defence modernization, a number of initiatives for the domestic manufacture of various defence platforms, including missiles, field guns, tanks, aircraft carriers, drones, fighter planes, tanks, and helicopters, are currently under progress.

However, a crucial link in the system of the Defence Industrial Complex was the military transport aircraft. The joint venture between Tata and Airbus has filled that gap and will significantly strengthen the Narendra Modi government’s make in India initiative. The 1960s-era Avro planes will no longer be required for the transportation needs of the Indian armed services. MoneyNotSleep – Financial Media House