Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez jointly inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex at the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) campus in Vadodara, Gujarat. The C-295 transport aircraft will be manufactured at the complex. Thereafter, Airbus will supply 56 C-295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Of these, 16 aircraft will come from Spain, six of which have already arrived, while 40 will be manufactured at Tata Aircraft’s base in Vadodara. Let us tell you how the Indian defense industry will benefit immensely from this project.
Most importantly, this is the first time this has happened when India is manufacturing military aircraft through the Final Assembly Line (FAL). In fact, FAL is a manufacturing process in which semi-finished products are moved from one workstation to another, after which the final product is ready.
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. will produce 40 C-295 transport aircraft in India. This will involve the complete development of a complete ecosystem for the entire life cycle of the aircraft, from production to assembly, testing, delivery to maintenance.
Micro, small and medium enterprises will also contribute
Apart from Tata, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bharat Power Ltd and government and private small and medium enterprises in the defense sector will also participate in the project. In addition to the Final Aircraft Assembly Line (FAL), items required for assembly and testing will be developed. Vadodara TASL is designed as a high-tech aircraft manufacturing centre. It controls the environment.
“Made in India will get a boost”
The project partners with Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to supply components and PETA systems. Increasing the indigenous content of the aircraft will support the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India’ initiatives. Dependence on imports will also be reduced. The plan will involve a large number of Indian suppliers, creating a strong local supply chain and an industrial ecosystem covering multiple states in India. Through this supply chain, more than 10,000 jobs will be created across the country.
Also preparing to manufacture MRO equipment
The C295 Make in India program will have a strategic impact in the future and serve as a model for future defense cooperation and strengthening the Indian aerospace industry. Tata Advanced Systems also plans to set up an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) unit for the C295 in India. This will ensure long-term maintenance capabilities domestically and end the current system of outsourcing these functions internationally. The facility is designed to accommodate future aircraft model expansion or industry expansion in production rates. It has the potential to become a hub for aerospace innovation, including R&D activities in collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners.
The aircraft is equipped with local combat uniforms
Features of the aircraft include short takeoff and short landing. There is a rear ramp door for rapid deployment of troops and cargo. These include indigenous electronic warfare suites provided by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd. Let us tell you that aircraft equipped with electronic warfare suits can reduce the impact of enemy radar and radio systems.
