First India-Built Tata-Airbus C-295 Takes To The Skies, Marking Major Defence Milestone

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 23:33 IST

The aircraft, manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with Airbus, successfully completed its first test flight.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) congratulated the entire team behind the successful maiden flight of the first Made-in-India Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft, describing the achievement as a significant milestone for the country’s growing aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities.

The aircraft, manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with Airbus, successfully completed its first test flight from the Final Assembly Line (FAL) facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The milestone marks the first of 40 C-295 aircraft that will be built in India under the programme, with the first delivery to the IAF expected this year.

In a statement, the Indian Air Force said the achievement reinforces India’s expanding aerospace capabilities and underscores its commitment to fostering indigenous defence manufacturing under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The maiden flight represents a crucial step in the aircraft’s post-production testing and certification process. It also marks a landmark moment for India’s aviation sector, as the C-295 programme is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector.

Calling the programme a “game changer", Airbus Defence highlighted the steady progress made through the collaboration between Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and a network of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the manufacturing of aircraft components across the country.

“The programme’s progress reflects the steady and dedicated work of Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the several Indian MSMEs, which are manufacturing parts for the aircraft across India," Airbus Defence said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We are building the future of Indian aerospace."

The company also expressed gratitude to the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence and the Government of India for their continued support and confidence in the programme.

The C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft designed for troop transport, cargo operations, medical evacuation missions and special operations. Once inducted, it will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 fleet.

The programme gained momentum in October 2024 with the inauguration of the Final Assembly Line complex in Vadodara by Tata and Airbus. The facility became the first private-sector aircraft manufacturing plant of its kind in India.

Under the agreement to supply 56 C-295 aircraft to the IAF, Airbus has already delivered the first batch of aircraft in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 aircraft are being manufactured in India. The programme will see more than 85 per cent of the aircraft’s structural components and final assembly carried out domestically.

The initiative also involves the production of approximately 13,000 detailed parts in India. Airbus and TASL have certified 21 special manufacturing processes and onboarded 37 Indian suppliers from both the private and public sectors, further strengthening the country’s aerospace ecosystem.

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