First Made-in-India Airbus C-295 Ready for Flight Testing

The first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft in India was completed at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara on 17 May 2026 and was ready for flight testing. The aircraft is part of a 56-aircraft contract signed in September 2021 between India and Airbus Defence and Space for the Indian Air Force.

Airbus C-295 Programme in India

The C-295 programme in India includes 16 fly-away aircraft from Spain and 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India under the Make in India framework. The first India-made aircraft was expected to begin flight tests in June 2026 and to be delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2026.

Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line

The Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line is located in Harni, Vadodara, and was inaugurated on 28 October 2024. The facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Airbus C-295 is a twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft.
• The Indian Air Force uses the C-295 for troop movement, cargo carriage, medical evacuation, and special operations.
• The C-295 programme is linked to the replacement of the IAF’s Avro-748 fleet.
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited became the first private Indian company to establish a full-scale military aircraft production line in India.

Industrial and Strategic Context

The C-295 assembly line in Vadodara marked the first full-scale military aircraft production line operationalised by a private Indian company. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had earlier remained the main state-owned aircraft manufacturer in India for military aviation projects.

Operational Features

The Airbus C-295 is designed for tactical airlift operations from semi-prepared strips. The aircraft supports transport roles, logistics missions, and medical evacuation tasks for military use.