Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Monday that the company’s aircraft manufacturing facility, established in collaboration with Airbus, will deliver its first C-295 military transport aircraft within two years.
“Two years from today, we will deliver the first C-295 aircraft manufactured in India,” Chandrasekaran said during the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat.
This state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday, marks India’s first private-sector production plant for military transport aircraft.
Calling it a historic milestone for both the Tata Group and the nation, Chandrasekaran emphasized the facility’s significance in generating employment and creating a highly skilled workforce.
“This is a landmark day for India’s defence sector. Within the next two years, we will see the delivery of our first aircraft. This initiative will propel India into advanced manufacturing, create a diverse skill ecosystem, and build a strong supply base. Most importantly, it will offer high-tech opportunities for our entrepreneurs and young professionals.”
The facility marks a significant step forward in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the “Make in India” initiative, positioning the country as a potential global hub for aerospace production.
Chandrasekaran credited former Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata for his visionary role in the project’s inception over a decade ago.
“I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention that this project was originally conceived more than a decade ago, in 2012, by the then Tata Sons Chairman, Ratan Tata Ji, who led the whole concept to build a relationship with Airbus and created this partnership with Airbus and laid the foundation stone for this opportunity.”
Chandrasekaran said that the first batch of 200 engineers from Tata Group are already undergoing training in Spain. “We have worked with 40 SME companies and we will be adding more companies to build the entire localisation that is required for the product.,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised the partnership between Tata and Airbus, calling it a significant advancement for India’s aerospace sector.
“Prime Minister Modi, this is your vision to transform India into an industrial powerhouse. The collaboration between Airbus and Tata will greatly advance the Indian aerospace sector and pave the way for more European companies to enter the market.”
Sanchez emphasized the synergy between Indian and Spanish companies, calling Tata “a giant among giants” and the finest representative of India’s industrial prowess.
“Airbus is opening a new chapter by partnering with India’s defense and space industry. This project not only strengthens our industrial ties but also underscores our nations’ commitment as reliable partners. It showcases the capabilities of the Spanish defense industry, which is renowned for its world-class expertise and respected international reputation,” Sanchez said.
(With ANI input)