Spain PM reaches today for inaugural of India's first pvt facility for military aircraft

Contact Counsellor

CategoryDefence

Last Updated29/10/2024

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is reaching Vadodara Monday where he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks and inaugurate the Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant of the C295 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to visit Vadodara, India, on Monday, October 28, where he will engage in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inaugurate the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the C295 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft, intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This significant project marks India's first private military transport aircraft production facility, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Defence and Space.

Inauguration of FAL Plant: The Vadodara facility represents a landmark in India’s defense manufacturing, under the 'Make in India' initiative. It aims to produce 56 C295 aircraft to replace the legacy Avro fleet of the IAF. While the first 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, TASL will assemble the remaining 40 aircraft at the Vadodara plant.
C295 Aircraft Capabilities: The C295 is designed for versatile operations, capable of transporting troops, paratroopers, and conducting logistics missions in challenging environments. It can also perform airdrops and medical evacuations, showcasing its adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic with mobile ICU capabilities.
Contract Details: The Ministry of Defence and Airbus signed a $2.5 billion contract for the C295 aircraft supply. The first aircraft was delivered in September 2023, with a total of six aircraft received so far.
Production Timeline: The Vadodara facility aims to roll out its first Made-in-India C295 by 2026, with the complete delivery of all 56 aircraft expected by 2031.

Sanchez's Official Visit: This visit marks the first by a Spanish Prime Minister to India in 18 years. Sanchez will engage in various official engagements, including talks at the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace and interactions with trade and industry leaders in Mumbai.
Cultural and Economic Cooperation: The visit will also emphasize cultural ties, with Sanchez participating in the 4th Spain India Forum, aiming to strengthen collaboration in media and entertainment. He is expected to sign several MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, including defense, IT, renewable energy, and tourism.
Significance of Bilateral Relations: The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the friendly relations between India and Spain, which have been revitalized since Modi's visit to Spain in 2017. This upcoming visit provides an opportunity to review and deepen partnerships in various sectors.