New Delhi: India achieved a significant milestone in indigenous defence manufacturing on Wednesday as the first Airbus C295 military transport aircraft built in the country completed its maiden flight from the Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat. The successful sortie marks a major step towards the delivery of the first locally manufactured C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force later this year.
The aircraft is the first of 40 C295 transport planes that will be produced in India under the partnership between Airbus Defence and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The programme is being seen as a landmark initiative in India’s efforts to expand indigenous aerospace production and reduce dependence on imported military platforms.
Sharing the development on X, Airbus Defence said, “The first ‘Made in India’ Airbus C295 military transport aircraft has conducted its first test flight from the assembly facility in Vadodara, marking a milestone for Indian aviation and defence.” The company added that the test flight is a crucial part of the post-production testing process and will help advance the programme’s objective of delivering the first India-built C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force this year.
Calling it a major boost to the government’s “Make in India” initiative, Airbus Defence said the C295 programme represents “the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector.” It further noted that the project reflects the combined efforts of airbus, tata advanced systems limited and several Indian MSMEs supplying components for the aircraft.
“We thank the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence and Government of India, for their unwavering trust in us. We are building the future of Indian aerospace,” Airbus Defence said.
The Air Force also hailed the achievement, posting on X, “The Indian Air Force congratulates the entire team behind the successful maiden flight of the first India-made C-295.” The force said the accomplishment reinforces India’s growing aerospace capabilities.
The C295 is set to gradually replace the ageing An-32 fleet in IAF service. The versatile transport aircraft can carry up to 9 tonnes of payload and is capable of undertaking troop transport, logistics support, medical evacuation and humanitarian assistance missions.