India's First Made-in-India Airbus C295 Successfully Completes Maiden Flight
Significant Milestone in Defence Manufacturing
File image of first made-in-India airbus C295(Photo: @ReviewVayu/X)
Gandhinagar/Vadodara, June 11: The inaugural test flight of the first Airbus C295 military transport aircraft manufactured in India took place on Thursday at the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat. This event marks a pivotal achievement in the nation's aspirations for self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the establishment of a domestic aerospace production framework.
This aircraft is the first of 40 C295 transport planes that will be produced in India through a collaboration between Airbus and Tata.
According to Airbus Defence and Space, this successful flight is a vital step in the post-production testing phase, bringing the program closer to delivering the first Indian-made C295 to the Indian Air Force later this year.
In a statement shared on social media, Airbus Defence and Space referred to the flight as a significant milestone for both Indian aviation and defence, noting that this is the first instance of a military aircraft being produced in India by a private entity.
The company acknowledged the contributions of Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, and various micro, small, and medium enterprises across the nation involved in manufacturing aircraft components.
Gratitude was expressed towards the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence, and the Central government for their unwavering support and trust in the program, which is instrumental in shaping the future of India's aerospace sector.
Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel celebrated this achievement as a proud moment for both Gujarat and India.
He remarked that the successful maiden flight of the first 'Made in India' Airbus C295 military transport aircraft from Vadodara is a crucial advancement towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India'.
“With Gujarat becoming a pivotal hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace, this accomplishment showcases India's expanding capabilities in defence production and innovation,” CM Patel stated.
He extended his congratulations to Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems, and all parties involved in the project.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also praised this achievement, calling it a moment of national pride. He noted that the successful flight of the aircraft assembled in Vadodara signifies 'history in the making'.
“From Gujarat soil to India’s skies, Atmanirbhar Bharat is no longer just a vision; it has become a reality,” Sanghavi expressed in his post.
The C295 program stands as one of India's most significant defence manufacturing initiatives, contributing to broader efforts aimed at enhancing indigenous production capabilities and reducing reliance on imported military equipment.
The Vadodara facility, established through the Airbus-Tata partnership, functions as the final assembly line for aircraft designated for the Indian Air Force as part of a comprehensive fleet modernization initiative.
The successful test flight will be followed by additional evaluation and certification processes before the aircraft is officially commissioned, with the first Indian-built C295 expected to be delivered later this year.