India Receives Final C-295 Aircraft from Spain, Boosting Defence Modernisation Drive

National Times Bureau, Aug 2 , 2025: India received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain on Saturday, marking a key milestone in its ongoing military modernisation programme. The aircraft, known for its 5-10 tonne capacity and modern capabilities, is set to replace the ageing Avro fleet currently used by the Indian Air Force.

The final aircraft was handed over at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville. Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik and senior IAF officials were present to receive the delivery. The Indian Embassy in Spain highlighted that the delivery was completed two months ahead of schedule, reflecting the efficiency and strong bilateral defence collaboration.

India had signed a landmark agreement with Airbus Defence & Space in September 2021 to acquire 56 C-295MW transport aircraft. Out of these, 16 were to be delivered directly from Spain while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India as part of a strategic Make-in-India push. The contract, worth several thousand crores, includes complete transfer of technology and the development of an indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The aircraft is capable of tactical military operations and has a flight endurance of up to 11 hours. Its features make it ideal for troop movement, logistics missions, and disaster response.

The manufacturing of the remaining 40 aircraft is being handled by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at its facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The complex was jointly inaugurated in October 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. This plant is India’s first private-sector final assembly line (FAL) for a military aircraft and is a major step in building domestic aerospace capabilities.

TASL’s efforts are supported by major Indian defence public sector undertakings like Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., alongside several MSMEs. The collaboration is not only expected to strengthen India’s military preparedness but also generate employment, enhance skill development, and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

The successful delivery of all 16 aircraft from Spain sets the stage for accelerated indigenous production and long-term self-reliance in defence aviation.