Modi says India will soon export aircraft to the world, Sanchez responds ‘can trust Spain’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday (October 28) inaugurated a facility in Gujarat to manufacture Airbus aircraft and hailed the India-Spain cooperation.

After Modi and Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility in Vadodara’s Gujarat, Modi said that India would soon export aircraft to the world. Sanchez echoed the sentiment and said that India can trust Spain.

At the Vadodara facility, TASL and Airbus will jointly manufacture the C-295 military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The TASL will manufacture 40 fly-away C-295 aircraft and will subsequently provide maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) support and service for the total 56 aircraft to be procured by the IAF.

VIDEO | Gujarat: PM Modi (@narendramodi), his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez jointly inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility in Vadodara. They take tour of the plant after the inauguration.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/CsdfIclC5j

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 28, 2024

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Speaking on the occasion, Modi said the Tata-Airbus collaboration would lead to India manufacture for the entire world and not just for India.

Modi said, “It is the first tour of Pedro Sanchez to India. From today, we are giving new direction to India-Spain partnership, we are inaugurating factory for manufacturing of C295 aircraft. Not only it will bolster the ties of India and Spain, it will also bolster the mission of ‘make in India, make for the world’. I congratulate the teams of Tata and Airbus.”

Modi further said that the TASL facility will eventually expand operations to manufacture civilian aircraft as well that will be exported.

Modi said, “All of you have witnessed unprecedented growth and transformation in India’s aviation sector in the last decade. We are already working to make India an aviation hub. This ecosystem will pave the way for Made in India civil aircraft in the future. Various Indian airlines have placed orders for 1200 new aircraft… this factory is going to play a major role in the design and manufacturing of civil aircraft to meet the future needs of India and the world.”

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On his part, Sanchez said that the TASL facility will be “an engine of growth and a testament to the close and growing friendship” between India and Spain. He further promised that India can trust Spain for growth.

#WATCH | Gujarat: President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez says, "So if Indian companies want to grow, believe me, they can trust Spain. In 2026, the first C295 manufactured in India will be produced by this plant in Vadodara. This aircraft is a symbol of the Spanish… pic.twitter.com/ceZBuSl99w

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Sanchez further said that the Tata-Airbus partnership has “opened a new chapter in India’s defence and space industry”.

Sanchez said, “This project strengthens our industrial ties while underlying our country’s deep commitment as a reliable and strategic partner. And it shows as well the capabilities of the Spanish defence industry. With its world-class expertise and its well-earned international reputation. Spain, like India, is promoting an ambitious roadmap to modernize its productive fabric.”

Sanchez further said that the Tata-Airbus partnership will open doors for other companies to invest and manufacture in India as well.

#WATCH | President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez says, "Today we are not only officially inaugurating a cutting edge industrial facility. Today we're also witnessing how an extraordinary project between two emblematic companies becomes a reality. Prime Minister Modi,… pic.twitter.com/zWTdlkiV0o

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Speaking about his government’s efforts to boost defence manufacturing in India, Modi said that the Tata-Airbus facility is the result of 10 years of consistent work.

Ten years ago, no one could have thought that such large-scale defence manufacturing would take place in India, but the government decided to change course and set new goals, said Modi.

“Today, the result is before us…We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made the public sector efficient, converted the ordinance factories into seven big companies, strengthened DRDO and HAL, built two big defence corridors in UP and Tamil Nadu. Many such decisions filled the defence sector with new energy,” said Modi.

#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: On the inauguration of TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, PM Narendra Modi says, "...Today the defence manufacturing ecosystem in India is touching new heights. If we had not taken concrete steps 10 years ago, it would have been… pic.twitter.com/gUJTxEHfUz

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Sanchez is on a three-day visit to India. Before the inauguration, Modi and Sanchez held a roadshow in Vadodara. After the inauguration, Sanchez and Modi will hold delegation-level talks. Later, Sanchez will travel to Mumbai where, apart from official engagements, he will meet trade and industry leaders, engage with think tanks, and meet leaders of the Indian film industry.