Tata Airbus C-295 Military Aircraft: Country’s First Private Assembly Line, All You Need To Know

On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara. The facility will undertake the responsibility to build 40 military tactical transport aircraft as a part of the agreement. This will be the country's first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. Meanwhile, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

C-295 Aircraft: A Profile

Replacing the Indian Air Force's (IAF) former Avro-748 planes, the C-295 aircraft possesses a payload capacity 5-10 tonnes. The aircraft can carry a total of 71 troops or 50 paratroopers with a flight endurance of 11 hours. While carrying multi-role operations under all weather conditions, it can also operate during day as well as night combat missions.

As far as the speed is concerned, the aircraft can cruise at 260 knots (482 km per hour). It can also land on unpaved, soft, and sandy/grass airstrips without fail.

Encompassing a rear ramp door for quick reaction, C-295 is capable enough to do short take-offs via semi-prepared surfaces. Having a retractable landing gear along with a 12.69-meter-long pressurised cabin, it can cruise at an altitude of 30,000 feet, while donning

outstanding low-level flight characteristics.

As per the agreement, about 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare suite. This will be manufactured by Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) including Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Notably, C295 has been previously used during long deployments in countries including Chad, Iraq and Afghanistan. The aircraft routinely operates in humid conditions of the Brazilian jungle and Colombian mountains. Also, in cold winters of Poland, Finland and Kazakhstan, C-295 proves to be a saviour.

About the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara

Being the country’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft, the facility will undertake all the steps of development. Sequentially, the facility will play a key role right from aircraft’s manufacturing, assembling, testing and maintenance among many.

The first C-295 aircraft may be unveiled by Tata-Airbus' factory in Vadodara in September 2026. The remaining 39 aircraft are expected to be delivered by August 31.

DPSUs including Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics as well as private Micro,WHaSmall and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are set to contribute towards this programme.

India will be the largest operator of the aircraft with 56 units by 2031.