India-Spain Partnership Strengthens: First C-295 Aircraft to Roll Out from Vadodara Factory, Jaishankar Confirms

India and Spain are actively working to strengthen their bilateral ties. As part of this effort, Spain’s Foreign Minister visited Delhi and held discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. During the meeting, a significant update regarding the C-295 aircraft was shared.

First C-295 Aircraft to be Produced in Vadodara

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar announced that the first C-295 aircraft being manufactured in India will be ready for rollout from the Vadodara plant before September 2026. The aircraft is being produced under the Airbus-Tata assembly line at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara. Jaishankar emphasized that the project reflects the growing depth of India-Spain defense industrial cooperation.

Vadodara Plant: India’s First Private Sector Military Aircraft Factory

The Vadodara facility, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2024, is India’s first private-sector military aircraft production unit. The plant is tasked with manufacturing 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, replacing the older Avro-748 aircraft. The rollout of the first aircraft marks a major milestone in India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.

Bilateral Talks Highlight Shared Values and Security Cooperation

During the meeting, Jaishankar and Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares discussed strengthening India-Spain ties based on shared democratic values, a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, and growing economic cooperation. Jaishankar noted that the world is undergoing significant change, making collaboration on common challenges more critical than ever—particularly in combating terrorism, a concern both India and Spain have faced.

Production Timeline and Defense Cooperation

The first 16 “fly-away” C-295 aircraft were supplied directly from Spain to India between September 2023 and August 2025, with the first aircraft delivered on 13 September 2023. The first aircraft produced in India is expected to roll out in September 2026, while the remaining 39 aircraft will be completed by August 2031. This collaboration not only enhances India’s defense production capability but also advances the country’s goal of self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

C-295 Aircraft Specifications

The C-295MW is a versatile transport aircraft capable of carrying 5 to 10 tons of cargo. It features a rear ramp door for rapid deployment of troops and equipment, and it excels at short takeoff and landing operations. The cabin measures 12.7 meters (41 feet 8 inches) and can accommodate up to 71 seats, making it highly efficient for military logistics.

The India-Spain defense partnership, exemplified by this project, is set to further strengthen bilateral ties and bolster India’s strategic manufacturing capabilities.