‘Tata-Airbus plant triumph of Modi’s vision’, praises Spanish PM Sanchez, jointly inaugurates India’s first military aircraft facility

Tata-Airbus military aircraft manufacturing plant is another triumph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez said while inaugurating the facility along with his Indian counterpart in Gujarat on Monday. The Tata complex in Vadodara is India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing facility.

Sanchez and Modi unveiled the plaque at the plant together and toured the facility. Addressing at the event after inaugurating the facility to manufacture C-295 aircraft, Sanchez said, “Prime Minister Modi, this is another triumph of your vision. Your vision is to turn India into an industrial powerhouse and a magnet for investment and business. This partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and will open new doors for the arrival of other European companies. This project brings together the best of two worlds,” ANI reported. Sanchez said the project strengthens Spain-India industrial ties and the project shows the capabilities of the Spanish defence industry.

PM Modi said the Tata-Airbus facility will strengthen the India-Spain relationship and the manufacturing ecosystem will pave the way for making the first civil aircraft in the country in future. He added that the aircraft manufactured at the Vadodara facility will also be exported in future. Modi remembered former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata during the event.

The Tata complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems is the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. 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, PTI reported.

The partnership involves 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, public sector defence units like Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

Earlier, Modi and Sanchez held a roadshow and they travelled in an open jeep for 2.5 kilometres.