Prime Minister Modi and Spanish Counterpart Inaugurate TATA Aircraft Complex in Gujarat

New Delhi:In a landmark collaboration between India and Spain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for the manufacturing of C-295 aircraft at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara on Monday. The event showcased a walkthrough exhibition, highlighting the significance of this joint venture.

The C-295 program encompasses a total delivery of 56 aircraft, with 16 being manufactured directly by Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be produced domestically in India. This facility marks a pivotal moment as it becomes the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India, facilitating a complete ecosystem for manufacturing, assembly, testing, and maintenance throughout the aircraft's lifecycle.

The Prime Minister expressed his belief that this facility would not only bolster India-Spain relations but also propel the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative. He extended his best wishes to the teams at Airbus and TATA, while paying tribute to the late Shri Ratan Tata, recognizing his contributions to the Indian industry.

Emphasizing the facility as a symbol of the new work culture of New India, Prime Minister Modi remarked on the swift progress from concept to execution that this project embodies. Recalling the foundation stone laid in October 2022, he highlighted that the factory is now prepared for production, urging an emphasis on reducing delays in project planning and execution.

Reflecting on past experiences, Modi recounted his initiation of the Bombardier Train Coach manufacturing facility in Vadodara, which was established in record time and now exports metro coaches worldwide. He expressed confidence that the C-295 aircraft produced at the new facility would similarly contribute to exports.

Quoting the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, Modi noted that as one embarks on a journey toward a goal, the path forward naturally unfolds. He emphasized the transformation of India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem over the past decade, highlighting that without proactive steps taken ten years ago, such achievements would have been unattainable.

The Prime Minister underscored that India’s strategic decisions have catalyzed the growth of a vibrant defense industry. Over the past decade, the government expanded private sector participation in defense manufacturing, improved the efficiency of public sector units, and restructured ordnance factories into seven major companies. Initiatives like the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme have spurred the growth of nearly 1,000 defense startups, resulting in a 30-fold increase in defense exports, with equipment now reaching over 100 countries.

Modi highlighted the factory's potential for job creation, stating it will support indigenous manufacturing of 18,000 aircraft parts, presenting significant opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India. He reiterated India’s position as a major supplier of aircraft parts globally, stressing that the new facility would enhance skills and foster new industries within the country.

Looking beyond the manufacturing of transport aircraft, the Prime Minister emphasized the transformative growth of India’s aviation sector over the last decade. He noted that the country is working to provide air connectivity to numerous small cities while aspiring to establish itself as a hub for aviation and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services. With Indian airlines ordering 1,200 new aircraft, the newly inaugurated factory is poised to play a crucial role in designing and manufacturing civil aircraft to meet domestic and international demands in the future.