C-295 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

News: India’s first ‘Made in India’ C-295 transport aircraft is scheduled to roll out before September 2026 from the Airbus–Tata Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara. This marks a major milestone in defence manufacturing and indigenization.

C-295 Aircraft

• A medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft designed for military logistics and special missions.
• Role: Tactical transport (troops, cargo), disaster relief, medical evacuation.
• Category: Military transport aircraft (not a fighter)
• Manufactured at Airbus–Tata FAL, Vadodara (Gujarat)
• Collaboration between Airbus and Tata Group
• To replace ageing Avro-748 aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Significance:

• First time a military aircraft is being manufactured in India by the private sector
• Strengthens: Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat (Defence), Indigenous aerospace ecosystem & MSMEs