Airbus is preparing to deliver the first C295 tactical transport aircraft assembled in India during the second half of 2026, a milestone expected to redefine the country’s aerospace manufacturing ambitions and deepen global industrial partnerships in defence production.
indiandefensenews.in
The delivery will emerge from the Airbus–Tata Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, a facility created to localise aircraft production under India’s self-reliance drive. The project forms part of a landmark agreement signed in September 2021 for the acquisition of 56 C295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro fleet—one of the largest defence aviation deals tied to domestic manufacturing. �
Airbus
From Spain Deliveries to Local Production
The programme began with Airbus delivering the first 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from Seville, Spain, ensuring rapid fleet modernisation while India built the industrial base required for domestic assembly.
Airbus
Parallel investments followed across India, including component manufacturing, quality certification, and supply-chain development, enabling detailed parts and sub-assemblies to be produced locally under Airbus standards.
Airbus
By November 2024, the Vadodara FAL was expected to be operational, setting the stage for the historic rollout of the first ‘Make in India’ C295 in September 2026, with final deliveries projected by August 2031.
Airbus
A Strategic Turning Point for Aerospace and Defence
Beyond fleet replacement, the India-assembled C295 represents a structural shift in global defence manufacturing, positioning India as a production hub capable of assembling complex military aircraft with significant local content and supplier participation.
Tata
Industry projections also place the programme within a broader aviation expansion story. Airbus expects India’s aviation ecosystem—spanning fleets, maintenance, and technical workforce—to grow sharply through 2035, reinforcing the strategic importance of local manufacturing and long-term aircraft delivery pipelines.
The Times of India
The forthcoming delivery in late 2026 therefore stands not merely as a procurement milestone, but as a symbol of industrial transformation, technology transfer, and geopolitical realignment in defence collaboration.
indiandefensenews.in
As India transitions from buyer to builder, the first domestically assembled C295 could mark the beginning of a new era in emerging-market aerospace capability—one where supply chains, skills, and sovereignty converge on the runway.
Airbus plans to deliver the first India-assembled C295 tactical aircraft in the second half of 2026, signalling a major leap in local defence manufacturing and aerospace capability.
The first C295 aircraft from Airbus’ India final assembly line is expected in H2 2026, highlighting India’s push for self-reliant defence production and long-term aerospace industry growth.
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