Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the 16th C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), completing the first phase of a 56-aircraft procurement programme. The aircraft departed from Seville, Spain, and is the final unit to be fully built in Europe before assembly shifts to India.
Under the contract signed in 2021, the initial 16 C295s are being produced by Airbus in Spain and are scheduled to be delivered by 2025. The remaining 40 aircraft will be assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems at a new final assembly line (FAL) in Vadodara, Gujarat. The first Indian-assembled aircraft is expected to be rolled out in September 2026.
The Vadodara facility is India’s first private-sector military aircraft assembly line and is part of a broader programme to manufacture the tactical C295 transport aircraft in India, replacing the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 fleet. The aircraft is capable of operating from short and unprepared airstrips, suitable for a range of Indian operational conditions.
The Indian-built C295s will incorporate a higher level of indigenous content, including an Indian-developed electronic warfare suite. The complete fleet is expected to be delivered by August 2031.
Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus, designs and manufactures military aircraft, satellites, and defence systems. The C295 is used by various air forces worldwide for tactical transport missions.
