Vadodara: In a significant milestone for India’s defense manufacturing sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex today, marking the establishment of the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft production in India. The complex will focus on the manufacture of C-295 military aircraft.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the TATA Aircraft Complex solidifies India’s position as a reliable partner in global aerospace manufacturing.
He stated that the facility will enhance India-Spain relations while supporting the “Make in India” and “Make For the World” initiatives. Modi highlighted the complex’s potential to provide valuable skills and technology to Indian youth, which is expected to create thousands of jobs.
The Prime Minister noted India’s growing capabilities in defense manufacturing, asserting that the nation is on track to produce civilian aircraft for international markets, with the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector playing a crucial role in this transition.
He also underscored the unprecedented growth in India’s defense sector, citing the establishment of nearly 1,000 defense startups in the past five years and a 30-fold increase in defense exports over the last decade. Currently, India exports defense equipment to over 100 countries.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Sanchez expressed confidence that the collaboration between Airbus and Tata will significantly contribute to the development of the Indian aerospace industry, paving the way for further European investment. The initiative involves not only TATA but also leading public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., along with private MSMEs.
The project entails the production of 56 C-295 military aircraft for India, with 40 to be manufactured in Vadodara by Tata Advanced Systems Limited and 16 directly supplied by Airbus.
This initiative follows the foundation stone laying by Prime Minister Modi in October 2022 for the Vadodara FAL. This event marks a pivotal step in strengthening India’s defense capabilities and enhancing international collaborations in aerospace technology.
