Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a major milestone in India's aerospace manufacturing journey. This new facility, housed within Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) campus, will be dedicated to producing the C-295 military transport aircraft, a project poised to elevate India's role as a trusted global aerospace hub.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Prime Minister Sanchez on his first visit to India, emphasising the deepening relationship between the two nations and its expansion into new areas of strategic cooperation. Modi noted that the Tata Aircraft Complex will advance India's "Make in India, Make for the World" mission, driving global exports and creating extensive employment opportunities. Expressing gratitude to Airbus and Tata, Modi paid tribute to the late Shri Ratan Tata, recognising his vision for Indian industry.
Reflecting on the speed with which this facility came to life—since its foundation stone was laid in October 2022—Modi credited India's new approach to efficient project execution, which he called a hallmark of "New India." He cited the Bombardier Train Coach factory in Vadodara as another example of this swift transformation, underscoring his confidence that C-295 aircraft produced here will find international buyers as India further establishes itself in global defence markets.
Drawing from Spanish poet Antonio Machado, Modi highlighted how setting ambitious goals can carve new paths forward. He noted that India's defence manufacturing sector has seen exponential growth, crediting a strategic overhaul over the past decade. Once reliant on imports, India's defence industry now builds equipment for both domestic use and export, with defence exports multiplying 30-fold in the last decade and reaching over 100 countries.
Modi described the Tata-Airbus partnership as a blueprint for how targeted policies and global collaborations can transform industries. He referenced policy shifts that encourage private sector engagement, modernisation of public sector units, restructuring of ordnance factories, and the establishment of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, all of which have invigorated India's defence ecosystem. He also cited the iDEX program's success in fostering around 1,000 defence startups.
The Tata Aircraft Complex will generate thousands of jobs and support the indigenous manufacture of 18,000 aircraft components, providing unprecedented opportunities for India's MSME sector. Modi noted that India already supplies parts for major global aerospace companies and that this facility will enhance local capabilities, fuelling growth in skills and industry development.
Looking ahead, Modi said this project goes beyond C-295 production, envisaging it as a step towards establishing India as an aviation and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub. With Indian airlines ordering 1,200 new aircraft, the Vadodara facility is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting future demand for locally produced civil aircraft.
Highlighting Vadodara's legacy as a thriving hub for MSMEs, Modi mentioned the Gatishakti University and other local industries that will support this aerospace endeavour. He praised Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and his team for their forward-thinking policies that are propelling the state's industrial development.
In a nod to growing cultural ties, Modi announced that India and Spain will celebrate 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence. He invited Spanish businesses and innovators to explore opportunities in India's fast-growing economy and to become partners in India's transformation journey.
Among the dignitaries attending were Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Background on the C-295 Project
Under the C-295 program, 56 aircraft will be delivered: 16 directly from Airbus in Spain and the remaining 40 will be produced in India by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. This complex represents India's first private-sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft, encompassing the entire lifecycle of aircraft manufacturing from assembly and testing to delivery and maintenance. The project includes contributions from leading defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., alongside numerous MSMEs, positioning India as a comprehensive aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
