Airbus C-295 planes make their final delivery to India from Spain, marking the completion of the transaction with 16 units.
India's C-295 military transport aircraft program is transitioning from initial Spanish-built deliveries to domestic assembly and production. The Indian Embassy in Spain announced the delivery of the last of 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft, two months ahead of schedule, on August 2, 2025.
The C-295 is a versatile and efficient tactical transport aircraft with a 5-10 tonne capacity and contemporary technology. It boasts a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, making it an ideal choice for India's strategic needs.
The original contract, signed in September 2021, includes a total of 56 aircraft: 16 built in Spain and 40 to be assembled and manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, was inaugurated in October 2024, marking a significant milestone for the program. The production plan calls for induction at a rate of 12 units per year.
The bulk of manufacturing is handled by TASL facilities in Nagpur and Hyderabad, where fuselages are produced in Hyderabad and then shipped to Gujarat for final assembly and delivery. A key feature of the program is extensive technology transfer from Airbus to TASL, with up to 90% of work in terms of man-hours done in India starting from the 30th unit. Approximately 14,000 parts are being indigenized annually by Tata, reaching about 4,000 parts per year, with only specialized components like landing gear, engines, and avionics remaining non-indigenous.
This program exemplifies a strategic public-private partnership, with TASL playing a critical role in assembly, manufacturing, and maintenance. Apart from Tata, companies like Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd., and various private Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises will contribute to this C-295 programme in India.
The collaboration marks a major step in boosting India's indigenous defense manufacturing capability and reducing reliance on foreign imports, aligning with the government's "Make in India" initiative. The C-295 aircraft are poised to replace the Indian Air Force's aging Avro fleet, providing advanced tactical airlift capability especially relevant for operations along sensitive borders with Pakistan and China.
The TATA Aircraft Complex in Hyderabad, where the C-295 aircraft are being assembled, is the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. The delivery of the last aircraft was received by Indian Ambassador Dinesh K Patnaik and senior IAF officials in Seville, Spain.
The C-295 programme involves the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, test, and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the aircraft's complete lifecycle. This program is set to strengthen India's defense capabilities and contribute to the nation's economic growth.
The C-295, a tactical transport aircraft with a 5-10 tonne capacity and contemporary technology, is being assembled and manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), as part of a strategic public-private partnership. This shift in production is a major step in boosting India's indigenous defense manufacturing capability and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
