First C-295 to roll out of Vadodara facility by September 2026

28 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is acquiring 56 C-295 aircraft under a Rs 219.35 billion contract signed in September 2021 with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain. Of these, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain by August 2025, while 40 will be manufactured locally in partnership with TASL.

Production of components has already commenced at TASL’s Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, with parts to be transported to Vadodara for final assembly. Pre-assembly activities at the Vadodara plant will begin in December 2024, with full assembly starting by October 2025.

The IAF has already inducted six C-295 aircraft, with deliveries taking place at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad. The remaining 39 aircraft manufactured in India are scheduled for delivery by August 2031. The C-295 aircraft will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 fleet, which has been in service for over 60 years.

The C-295 is a versatile transport aircraft capable of carrying 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, conducting airdrop missions, and supporting medical evacuation. It is also designed for special missions, disaster response, and maritime patrol. Each aircraft will feature an electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

TASL will gradually increase local value addition from 48% for the initial 16 aircraft to 75% for the remaining 24 units. Of the 14,000 components used per aircraft, 13,000 will be produced in India, with 37 companies, including 33 MSMEs, participating in the supply chain.

The C-295 project is expected to generate over 600 high-skill jobs directly, 3,000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3,000 medium-skill positions, totaling more than 4.25 million man-hours of work. Airbus aims to transfer up to 96% of its production capacity from Spain to India by the time the project reaches full maturity.

This initiative aligns with the government’s 'Make in India' program, fostering a domestic aerospace ecosystem and enhancing the capabilities of the Indian private sector in military manufacturing.

(ET)

The first C-295 military transport aircraft assembled in India is expected to roll out from the new facility in Vadodara by September 2026, according to official sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will inaugurate the Vadodara plant, operated by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), on October 30. The facility is a significant milestone as it marks the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is acquiring 56 C-295 aircraft under a Rs 219.35 billion contract signed in September 2021 with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain. Of these, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain by August 2025, while 40 will be manufactured locally in partnership with TASL. Production of components has already commenced at TASL’s Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, with parts to be transported to Vadodara for final assembly. Pre-assembly activities at the Vadodara plant will begin in December 2024, with full assembly starting by October 2025. The IAF has already inducted six C-295 aircraft, with deliveries taking place at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad. The remaining 39 aircraft manufactured in India are scheduled for delivery by August 2031. The C-295 aircraft will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 fleet, which has been in service for over 60 years. The C-295 is a versatile transport aircraft capable of carrying 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, conducting airdrop missions, and supporting medical evacuation. It is also designed for special missions, disaster response, and maritime patrol. Each aircraft will feature an electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). TASL will gradually increase local value addition from 48% for the initial 16 aircraft to 75% for the remaining 24 units. Of the 14,000 components used per aircraft, 13,000 will be produced in India, with 37 companies, including 33 MSMEs, participating in the supply chain. The C-295 project is expected to generate over 600 high-skill jobs directly, 3,000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3,000 medium-skill positions, totaling more than 4.25 million man-hours of work. Airbus aims to transfer up to 96% of its production capacity from Spain to India by the time the project reaches full maturity. This initiative aligns with the government’s 'Make in India' program, fostering a domestic aerospace ecosystem and enhancing the capabilities of the Indian private sector in military manufacturing. (ET)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..