Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi is likely to lay foundation stone of manufacturing plant of Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft at Vadodara. He is likely to do this honor from Leprosy ground in Vadodara in the afternoon on October 30th which shall be his first public programme during a three-day tour of poll-bound home-State.

With this Gujarat is likely to have first private aircraft manufacturing facility as part of Rs. 22,000 crore worth deal the defence ministry of India had signed with European multinational aerospace corporation Airbus last year for acquisition of 56 C-295 fixed wings.

Under the contractual agreement signed in September of 2021, Airbus will deliver over four years the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), the defence arm of Tatas, in India. The C-295s will replace the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) aging Averos. The production has to start in 2025 as per the timelines clocked in the agreement.

On October 9, Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi during a visit to Gujarat to unveil development works, had remarked that days are not far when his home state will be manufacturing planes. “Earlier, we were unable to make even cycles in Gujarat; now we are making cars and the days are not far when we will make aircraft in the state,” Modi had stated.

An announcement may take place later this month, which would be touted as a major achievement ahead of the Gujarat assembly polls, given that the plant would bring large volume investments and jobs to the state.

Airbus, at the time of signing of the contract, stated that the move would strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem and offer 15,000 skilled direct jobs and 10,000 indirect positions over the coming 10 years. All the C295s, in transport configuration, will be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

Highlights:

Contract for 56 aircraft was signed on 24 Sep 2021.

First 16 to be delivered in flyaway condition.

40 to be made by Tata and Airbus at Vadodara.

Can carry 72 troops, can operate tough landing zones as well.

Over 13400 detailed parts to be made in India.

125 MSMEs spread over 7 states to be involved.

42.5 lakh man hours to be generated in India.

Will be future avenue of exports from India.