India has reached a major milestone in its defense industry by carrying out the first test flight of an Airbus C295 assembled on Indian soil.
The military transport aircraft took off from the assembly line operated through the partnership between Tata and Airbus in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking the first time that India’s private sector has participated in the complete production of a military aircraft.
The project is part of a contract signed in 2021 for the acquisition of 56 C295 aircraft by the Indian Air Force. The first 16 units were produced in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India under a broad technology transfer agreement. The first locally manufactured aircraft is expected to be delivered later this year.
In addition to strengthening the country’s industrial capabilities, the program involves dozens of Indian companies responsible for manufacturing components and systems. The initiative aims to develop national expertise in areas such as precision manufacturing, quality control, and aerospace engineering, gradually reducing dependence on imported military equipment.
The new C295s will replace the aging fleet of Avro HS 748 aircraft, which have been in service since the 1960s. With greater payload capacity, improved performance in mountainous regions, and the ability to carry out transport, maritime patrol, medical evacuation, and intelligence missions, the aircraft is expected to become one of the pillars of the Indian Air Force’s tactical mobility for decades to come.
The first ‘Made in India’ Airbus C295 military transport aircraft has conducted its first test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara 🇮🇳, marking a milestone for Indian aviation and defence. This maiden test flight is a crucial step in the aircraft’s post production… pic.twitter.com/nPkjpIENkD
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) June 10, 2026
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Source and images: X @AirbusDefence | This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
