Tata and Airbus joint venture to make C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force

India's Tata group poised to make military aircraft in the country. It will be a joint venture between Tata and Airbus and the first such project by a local private company. They would undertake manufacture of the C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The location of the project would be in Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it. A statement of the defence ministry said - "This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.” Right now, only state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics makes aircraft for the armed forces. India is among the world's largest importers of defence items. The country has depended on Russia for decades for military equipment. However, over the years, the government has made efforts to reduce the country's dependency on international imports and shift to boost domestic output. Gujarat: Tata to make military aircraft with Airbus in India.

In the opinion of experts, this project is a step towards bolstering the Made in India campaign. Its success would mean India becoming a global manufacturing hub. The defence ministry views the deal as a "unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry." In September 2021, the government approved the procurement of 56 C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus Defense and the Spain-based Space SA. These would replace the aging fleet of the Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force and meet the needs of the civilian sector. As per the contract, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft in flyaway condition between September 2023 and August 2025. Subsequently, the Gujarat facility by the Tata group will take over and the first Made in India aircraft could roll out by September 2026.

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