The leaders of India and Spain have inaugurated India's first private military aircraft manufacturing facility
Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India's first private military aircraft plant on Monday, advancing New Delhi's goal of enhancing local manufacturing in its defense and aerospace sectors.
Sanchez was greeted with a vibrant roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat, where enthusiastic crowds cheered and waved banners. Together, the leaders launched the Tata Aircraft Complex, which will manufacture the Airbus C-295 transport aircraft in collaboration with Airbus Spain for the Indian Air Force.
Sanchez described the initiative as a significant achievement of Modi's vision to transform India into an industrial powerhouse that attracts investment and fosters business collaboration. "This partnership between Airbus and Tata will advance the Indian aerospace industry and open doors for more European companies," he added.
Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran celebrated the event as a historic milestone for India's defense sector, crediting the late Ratan Tata, who envisioned this project over a decade ago.
Under a $2.5 billion deal signed in 2021, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, with six already delivered to the Indian Air Force. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd will produce 40 aircraft at the Vadodara facility, aiming to roll out the first Indian-made C-295 by 2026. This aircraft can transport up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and is suited for medical evacuations, disaster response, and maritime patrols.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has committed to making India a global manufacturing hub across sectors including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and defense. As part of this effort, the government has sought to boost the private defense manufacturing sector, which was previously dominated by state-run organizations, and has relaxed foreign direct investment regulations to encourage companies to establish operations in India.
Sanchez’s visit marks the first by a Spanish leader to India in 18 years. The two leaders have previously met at global summits in 2018 and 2021. During his two-day visit, Sanchez will engage with Modi to strengthen bilateral relations and meet with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Subrahmanyam.
On Tuesday, Sanchez will visit Mumbai, India's financial hub and Bollywood center, to engage with trade and industry leaders and explore opportunities for collaboration between the Indian and Spanish entertainment sectors.
As of 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations reached nearly $10 billion, with over 200 Spanish companies operating in India and around 80 Indian companies in Spain. The leaders are expected to sign agreements to enhance cooperation in trade, information technology, renewable energy, and defense, according to an Indian government statement.
Daily Bijoy News/ Junayed