New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has celebrated the successful maiden test flight of the first C-295 military transport aircraft manufactured in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence production and advance the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The achievement represents a major step forward for India’s aerospace sector and the government’s flagship Make in India initiative.
In a post on social media platform X, the IAF congratulated all stakeholders involved in the project, stating, “The Indian Air Force congratulates the entire team behind the successful maiden flight of the first India-made C-295.” The force further highlighted that the accomplishment reinforces India’s growing aerospace capabilities and demonstrates its commitment to promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The C-295 programme is one of India’s most ambitious military aviation projects. The Indian Air Force is set to acquire a total of 56 C-295 transport aircraft at an estimated cost of around ₹21,935 crore. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft are being delivered directly from Spain in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 aircraft are being manufactured in India.
The aircraft are being assembled at a dedicated production facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, established through a partnership between Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The project marks the first time a military transport aircraft is being manufactured in India by a private-sector company, making it a landmark development in the country’s defence-industrial ecosystem.
Airbus Defence and Space also hailed the successful maiden flight, describing it as a crucial phase in the aircraft’s post-production testing process. In a statement shared on X, the company said the test flight was conducted from the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara and represents a major milestone for both Indian aviation and defence manufacturing.
According to Airbus, the aircraft that completed the maiden test flight is the first of the 40 C-295 aircraft scheduled to be produced in India. The company noted that the successful testing advances the programme’s objective of delivering the first Indian-built C-295 to the Indian Air Force later this year.
The programme has also created a broad manufacturing network involving multiple Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Components and sub-systems for the aircraft are sourced from various parts of the country before being transported to the Vadodara facility for final assembly, contributing to the development of a robust domestic aerospace supply chain.
The C-295 is a versatile tactical transport aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space. Widely used by armed forces around the world, the aircraft is capable of performing a variety of missions, including troop and cargo transportation, surveillance operations, medical evacuation, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and logistical support.
The Vadodara manufacturing facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in October 2024. The successful maiden flight of the first India-made C-295 now stands as a historic achievement, underscoring India’s growing capabilities in advanced aerospace manufacturing and strengthening the country’s journey towards self-reliance in defence production.
