Why is it in the news?
→ First Made-in-India C-295 aircraft to roll out before September 2026 from Vadodara FAL.
→ Marks milestone in defence indigenisation and India–Spain cooperation.
Category
Defence
Important Points
- Aircraft produced at Airbus-Tata Final Assembly Line, Vadodara, Gujarat.
- Part of ₹21,935 crore 2021 deal with Airbus Defence and Space for 56 aircraft.
- 16 aircraft supplied from Spain in fly-away condition.
- 40 aircraft manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.
- C-295 is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft.
- Designed for medium-range operations.
- Enhances Indian Air Force capabilities.
- It will replace aging Avro-748 transport planes.
- India and Spain agreed in 2026 to work toward Strategic Partnership.
- Spain joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- Bilateral trade reached USD 9.32 billion in 2024.
- Spain is India’s 16th largest investor with cumulative FDI of USD 4.29 billion.
- 2026 declared Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence marking 70 years of diplomatic relations.