Airbus unveils C295 Final Assembly Line in India
In partnership with Tata Group entity
Airbus officially inaugurated its first-ever Indian final assembly line (FAL) for the C295 medium tactical transport aircraft on October 28, 2024, in Vadodara, Gujarat. This marks a significant milestone in the European company’s history, as it is the first time Airbus has established a complete aircraft production system outside its home countries in Europe.
The programme, developed in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, also underscores a pivotal moment in India’s aerospace sector.
The inauguration is especially historic as it is not only Airbus’ first aircraft final assembly line in India but also the first instance of a private sector player setting up an aircraft manufacturing facility in the country.
Establishing the FAL aligns with the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to enhance self-sufficiency and boost the South Asia country’s defence and aerospace capabilities.
The new facility in Vadodara will play a crucial role in fulfilling the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) requirement for 56 C295 military transport aircraft, set to become the largest operator of the model globally. The C295 will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro fleet, helping to modernise and enhance India’s operational capabilities across its vast geographic expanse.
Airbus has already delivered six C295 aircraft from its San Pablo site in Seville, Spain, as part of an initial batch of 16. The remaining 40 units will be delivered from the Vadodara facility, marking a significant shift towards self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing.
‘Make in India’
The full-scale production of the C295 in India is set to continue, with the first ‘Make in India’ C295 scheduled to roll out of the Vadodara facility in September 2026. The programme is expected to deliver all 56 aircraft to the IAF by 2031, further enhancing India’s air defence capabilities as neighbouring China and Pakistan pose significant military challenges to India.
A standout feature of the C295 in its military configuration is its integration of an indigenous self-protection suite. This includes radar warning systems, missile warning sensors, and countermeasure dispensers, ensuring the aircraft can operate effectively in contested environments.
The manufacturing process for the C295 in India has been designed to integrate a wide array of local suppliers and build a robust industrial ecosystem. Raw materials are sourced, and up to 13,000 detailed parts are manufactured at critical locations in Nagpur, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. These components are assembled into larger sub-assemblies at the Main Component Assembly (MCA) site in Hyderabad before being shipped to the Vadodara FAL.
To ensure that the production quality meets Airbus’ high standards, the company has developed a complete digital model of the C295. All engineering models and tools used in production are digitised, guaranteeing that the aircraft assembled in India will be at par with those produced at any Airbus site worldwide.
The Vadodara FAL uses a Pulse Line setup, similar to the process used at Airbus’ San Pablo FAL in Spain. This process breaks down the assembly into sequential steps, with each workstation dedicated to specific tasks. This efficient, streamlined approach ensures smooth transitions between stations, much like an automotive assembly line, but adapted for the complexity and scale of aircraft manufacturing.
Establishing the FAL also brings significant investments in training and workforce development. Initial pilot crews have been trained at the San Pablo site in Spain, and by the end of 2024, an additional 150 personnel will be trained at the new flight simulator at the Airbus training centre in Agra, India. This emphasis on training will ensure that India has a well-equipped workforce to support ongoing operations and maintenance of the C295 fleet.
Establishing the FAL in Vadodara will expand the C295 programme’s footprint and lead to long-term, sustainable growth. Jorge Tamarit-Degenhardt, Head of the C295 India Programme, noted that this initiative would also allow Airbus to tap into the growing demand for aircraft in the Indian market. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have already placed orders for over 1,000 Airbus aircraft.
Airbus and Tata are also partnering to establish India’s first private sector final assembly line for helicopters, including the H125, further expanding the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Udbhav Sharma, the C295 Make in India Programme Manager at Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the critical capabilities the aircraft would deliver to the IAF, noting that the programme is not just about providing advanced military transport but also building the industrial ecosystem to support this aircraft end-to-end—from component manufacturing to final delivery.
Featured image: The Indian Air Force is set to become the largest C295 medium tactical transport aircraft operator globally. Credit: Airbus
