The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a significant roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 28, 2024, ahead of the inauguration of the Tata-Airbus aircraft assembly facility. The roadshow stretched approximately 2.5 km from Vadodara Airport to the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus. It featured cultural performances and was attended by local residents. The event marked a pivotal moment in India's defence manufacturing landscape, as it involved the establishment of the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in the country. The project was the brainchild of Late Ratan Tata, which was moved from Maharashtra to Vadodara under the present government.

The C295 project marks a pivotal moment in India's defence manufacturing landscape, with the establishment of the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in Vadodara under the Tata-Airbus partnership.

The C295 has been designed to facilitate multi-role operations and has been produced in a wide range of configurations. Many customers opted for arming these aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations; being outfitted with various sensors such as a multi-mission radar unit. The aircraft can even be equipped as a gunship and tasked to provide close air support (CAS) to ground forces. When appropriately furnished, the C295 can conduct electronic signal intelligence (ELINT), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) duties. Also, pallet-sized equipment, enabling its rapid installation and removal, is available to outfit the aircraft for use as a VIP transport, aerial refueling tanker and water bowser duties. Designed for low-level flight, the C295 can fly at speeds as slow as 110 knots. This ability is particularly beneficial for tactical missions, providing support for para-jumpers and troops operating in difficult terrain.

Both manufacturing and final assembly of the C295 is normally performed at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in San Pablo Airport, located in Seville, However, additional manufacturing arrangements have been agreed with some customers. Since 2011, Indonesian Aerospace has produced the CN-295 under license at their facilities in Bandung, Indonesia, through an industrial collaboration with Airbus Defence & Space.

During the 2020s, India indicated its intent to place the largest single order for the C295, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the acquisition of 56 C295Ws to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2021. It was agreed that, as a part of a larger purchase, a batch of 40 C295s for the Indian Air Force (IAF) would be license-manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at Vadodara. As a part of further order for the Indian Navy (IN) and the Indian Coast Guard, the facility will also process delivery of 12 more aircraft for Maritime Patrol roles. Of these, it is planned for 16 aircraft to be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months (by August 2025) of the contract's signing, while a further 40 aircraft are to be manufactured in India by TASL within the following 10 years from the Indian "Final Assembly Line" (FAL) at Vadodara.

Of the 56 planned C295 aircraft, 16 will be delivered from Spain by August 2025, while 40 will be produced in India at the Vadodara facility under the 'Make in India' initiative, with deliveries expected by 2031.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the gathering during the inauguration of TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C295 aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited (TASL) Campus at Vadodara, in Gujarat on October 28, 2024.

The TASL facility at Vadodara will manufacture the C295 transport aircraft, with a total of 56 units planned; 16 to be imported directly from Spain and 40 to be produced in India at this new facility. The assembly line is expected to roll out its first aircraft by September 2026 and complete all deliveries by August 2031. The C295 project is worth around ₹29,000 crore ($3.5 billion). The aircraft are to be developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Tata-Airbus tie-up in order to complement the existing fleet of Boeing P-8I Neptune and HAL 228. The MPAs for the Navy and the Coast Guard are being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The objective of the C295 project is to increase local content in the C295 aircraft from 48 per cent to 75 per cent over the course of production. The integration of an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite, manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), will further enhance the aircraft's capabilities. As the manufacturing process evolves, it is projected that the percentage of local labour involved in production will rise from 78 per cent to 96 per cent for the later aircraft. The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities, generating around 600 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, it will provide around 3,000 medium-skill positions. The increase in indigenous production is substantial; out of the 14,000 detailed parts needed for each aircraft, approximately 13,000 will be produced in India. This includes components sourced from 37 identified industrial partners, primarily small and medium enterprises.

The project aims to increase local content in the C295 aircraft from 48 per cent to 75 per cent, involving over 14,000 parts, with 13,000 sourced from India and collaboration with 37 industrial partners, primarily SMEs.

The IAF recently inaugurated a new simulator facility for the C295 aircraft. The facility includes state-of-the-art simulation technology that replicates real-world flying conditions, enabling pilots to practice and refine their skills in a controlled environment for operational missions. This is crucial for enhancing flight safety and operational efficiency. An additional 150 personnel will be trained using the simulator before its full operational deployment.

The first C295 was delivered to the IAF on September 13, 2023. This was followed by the delivery of the 2nd and 3rd C295 aircraft on May 4 and May 28, 2024, respectively. The 4th (CA 7104) and 5th (CA 7105) were delivered on July 5, 2024. The 6th aircraft was delivered by October 28, 2024. The rest of the 10 aircraft will be delivered at the rate of one per month until August 2025, followed by deliveries from the Vadodara plant. On February 16, 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved a proposal to procure nine Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMRA) for the Indian Navy and six Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) for the Indian Coast Guard, based on C295MW transport aircraft.

The manufacturing of C295 aircraft in India is expected to generate significant employment, including 600 direct jobs, over 3,000 indirect jobs, and around 3,000 medium-skill positions.

The C295 variants will be equipped with advanced radars and sensors developed by the DRDO, enhancing their operational effectiveness in maritime surveillance. The C295 will replace the aging Avro-748 fleet, which has been in service for over six decades. This transition not only modernises the IAF's transport capabilities but also aligns with India's broader defence modernisation goals under the 'Make in India' initiative.

This acquisition is also part of India's broader strategy to bolster its maritime capabilities amid increasing concerns over regional security, particularly regarding Chinese military activities in the Indian Ocean. The addition of these aircraft will significantly enhance India's maritime reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. The C295s are expected to operate alongside existing platforms like the P-8I Poseidon aircraft, further strengthening India's ability to monitor its coastal waters and engage in anti-piracy operations.