Prime Ministers Modi and Sanchez inaugurate TATA Aircraft complex in Gujarat
- In Reports
- 01:03 PM, Oct 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant milestone for India-Spain relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara, Gujarat, today. The two leaders also toured an exhibition showcased at the event.
During his address, Prime Minister Modi noted that this was Prime Minister Sanchez’s first visit to India and emphasised that the partnership between the two nations is finding a new direction. He remarked that the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex would not only strengthen ties between India and Spain but also accelerate the mission of ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’ Modi extended his best wishes to the Airbus and TATA teams involved and paid tribute to the late Shri Ratan Tata.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of New India. He expressed pride in India’s ability to rapidly execute projects, recalling the foundation stone laying of the factory in October 2022. Modi stated, “The facility is now ready for production of C-295 aircraft,” and emphasised the importance of eliminating delays in project execution, referencing the Bombardier Train Coach manufacturing facility he established in Gujarat.
Quoting Spanish poet Antonio Machado, Modi remarked, “As we start treading towards the goal, the path towards the goal is created automatically.” He noted that India's defence manufacturing ecosystem is reaching new heights, stating that if concrete steps hadn’t been taken a decade ago, achieving this success would have been impossible. He pointed out that prior to these developments, defence manufacturing in India primarily focused on imports.
Modi emphasised that India’s transformation in the defence sector demonstrates how effective planning and partnerships can turn possibilities into prosperity. He stated, “We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made public sector units more efficient, restructured ordnance factories into seven major companies, and empowered DRDO and HAL.” The Prime Minister highlighted the establishment of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have invigorated the sector.
Discussing the iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) scheme, he mentioned it has spurred the growth of around 1,000 defence startups in recent years. Modi noted that India's defence exports have surged thirtyfold over the past decade, with the country now exporting equipment to over 100 countries.
Focusing on job creation and skill development, Modi said that projects like the Airbus-Tata factory will generate thousands of jobs and support indigenous manufacturing of 18,000 aircraft parts, providing immense opportunities for MSMEs across India. He added, “India is one of the biggest suppliers of parts for the world’s major aircraft companies even today,” and that the new aircraft factory will foster new skills and industries in the country.
The Prime Minister looked beyond the manufacturing of transport aircraft, highlighting the remarkable growth of India’s aviation sector in the last decade. He stated that India is enhancing air connectivity to numerous small cities and is striving to become a hub for aviation and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). Modi noted that various Indian airlines have ordered 1,200 new aircraft, asserting that the newly inaugurated factory will play a crucial role in designing and manufacturing civil aircraft to meet both domestic and international needs.
He acknowledged Vadodara’s significance as a stronghold for MSMEs and a potential catalyst in India's manufacturing efforts. Modi mentioned that the region hosts a Gatishakti University, preparing professionals across various sectors. He commended the Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, for its modern industrial policies.
Moreover, Modi highlighted Vadodara's rich cultural heritage, expressing joy at welcoming guests from Spain. He noted the historical contributions of Father Carlos Valle, who dedicated 50 years to enriching local culture and was honoured with a Padma Shri award for his efforts.
Reflecting on the cultural connections between India and Spain, Modi mentioned the popularity of yoga in Spain and the enthusiasm for Spanish football in India. He referenced the recent football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, “Whether it’s food, films, or football, our strong people-to-people connect has always strengthened our ties.” Modi also expressed excitement about the decision to celebrate 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI.
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the inauguration of the aircraft complex would inspire numerous joint collaboration projects between India and Spain. He extended an invitation to the Spanish industry and innovators to partner with India in its developmental journey.
In attendance were Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, among others. Under the C-295 program, a total of 56 aircraft are to be delivered, with 16 directly from Airbus in Spain and the remaining 40 manufactured in India.
TATA Advanced Systems Ltd will produce these 40 aircraft, marking the establishment of the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. The facility will develop a complete ecosystem from manufacturing to assembly, testing, and delivery of aircraft. In addition to TATA, leading defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., along with private MSMEs, will contribute to this program. The Prime Minister had previously laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara FAL in October 2022.
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