Aircraft manufactured in Vadodara will be exported in future: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on Monday (October 28) inaugurated the Tata Advanced System Limited (TASL)-Airbus facility to manufacture C-295 military aircraft in India. The Tata-Airbus facility is the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

Speaking after the inauguration, Modi said aircraft manufactured in the Vadodara factory will be exported to other countries in the future.

Also read: PM Modi, his Spanish counterpart Sanchez hold roadshow in Vadodara

Modi remembers Ratan Tata

“Recently, we lost the country’s great son Ratan Tata ji. If he had been among us today, he would have been happy, but wherever his soul is, he would be happy. This C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of New India ... When I was the Gujarat CM, it was decided to set up a factory in Vadodara to build train coaches,” Modi said.

“The factory was also prepared for production within a record time. Today, we are exporting the metro coaches manufactured in that factory to other countries. I am confident that in the future, the aircraft made in this factory will also be exported to other countries...,” he added.

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Spanish PM Sanchez said thousands of direct and indirect jobs would be created at the Vadodara facility. He added that the first aircraft will be ready to roll out from this facility in 2026.

"So if Indian companies want to grow, believe me, they can trust Spain. In 2026, the first C295 manufactured in India will be produced by this plant in Vadodara. This aircraft is a symbol of the Spanish and European aeronautical industry. In addition to contributing to modernising India's defence capabilities, it will also drive technological development, particularly for the state of Gujarat, India’s leading manufacturing hub.

“Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created here and a new generation of highly qualified engineers and technicians will be trained...I come from a country where 99 per cent of companies are macro small and medium enterprises. They play a very valuable role in promoting social and territorial cohesion,” Sanchez said.

40 aircraft to be built

As many as 40 aircraft will be built in the Vadodara facility as part of an agreement, while aviation behemoth Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

The Tata Advanced Systems is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India and the facility will be the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military planes in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life cycle of the aircraft.

Apart from the Tatas, leading defence public sector units, such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022.