IAF Receives Final Spain-Built C-295 Aircraft; Remaining 40 to Be Made in India at Tata’s Gujarat Facility

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the 16th and final C-295 transport aircraft built by Airbus Defence and Space in Seville, Spain, marking the completion of the first leg of a major aircraft procurement deal. This final delivery wraps up the direct handover of aircraft from Spain as part of the ₹21,935-crore contract signed in September 2021 for 56 C-295s.

Under this landmark agreement, the first 16 aircraft were to be manufactured and delivered by Airbus from Spain, while the remaining 40 will now be assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at a dedicated Final Assembly Line (FAL) set up in Vadodara, Gujarat. This marks a major shift in India’s defence manufacturing approach and is being seen as a significant step under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

The C-295s are set to replace the ageing Avro-748 fleet, which has served the IAF for over 60 years. These new aircraft are more versatile and better suited for modern military operations. Known for their ability to take off and land on short, unprepared airstrips, they can be used for troop and cargo transport, special missions, and disaster relief operations.

With the deliveries from Spain complete, attention now shifts to Tata’s assembly plant in Gujarat, which is expected to deliver its first Indian-made C-295 by September 2026. This facility is not just assembling the aircraft—it will also handle integration of critical systems, testing, and quality checks.

What makes this project stand out is the level of indigenisation it aims to achieve. Major components like the fuselage, wings, and empennage (tail section) will be manufactured in India, helping build a solid domestic aerospace supply chain. So far, over 125 Indian MSMEs have been involved in supplying parts and components, and Indian engineers are being trained to take over complex production tasks over time.

The Tata-Airbus partnership is not just about fulfilling India’s defence needs. The long-term goal is to make India a global hub for C-295 production and maintenance, with plans to export the aircraft in the future. Airbus has indicated that the project includes technology transfer, supplier development, and building a skilled workforce that could support India's growing defence and aerospace sectors.

In all, this development not only strengthens the IAF's airlift capabilities but also represents a crucial step in establishing India as a defence manufacturing powerhouse.