Major defence milestone: India receives final Airbus C-295 transport aircraft from Spain

India on Saturday received the final unit of 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain, marking a significant step forward in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) modernisation drive, the Indian Embassy in Spain announced.

The C-295, a tactical transport aircraft with a 5–10 tonne capacity and modern avionics, is set to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro fleet. With an endurance of up to 11 hours, the aircraft is known for its versatility and efficiency in a range of military operations.

Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior IAF officials, took delivery of the aircraft at Airbus’s Defence and Space assembly line in Seville. “The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India’s defence capabilities,” the embassy said on social media.

India signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space in September 2021 for 56 C-295MW aircraft. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft were to be delivered from Spain in flyaway condition, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

The final Spanish delivery fulfills Airbus’s initial commitment under the deal.

In October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. This site will house India’s first-ever private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft, operated by TASL.

The Indian facility will not only assemble but also support the full production ecosystem—from manufacturing and testing to delivery and lifecycle maintenance.

The programme also brings together a consortium of Indian defence players, including Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, and several private MSMEs, making it one of the most significant public-private defence collaborations in recent years.