First "Made in India" C-295 aircraft completes maiden test flight from Vadodara; IAF hails milestone
Vadodara, June 11
The first "Made in India" Airbus C295 military transport aircraft has successfully conducted its maiden test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, marking a significant milestone for India's aviation and defence manufacturing sector.
In a post on X, Airbus Defence said, "The first 'Made in India' Airbus C295 military transport aircraft has conducted its first test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, marking a milestone for Indian aviation and defence. This maiden test flight is a crucial step in the aircraft's post production testing process. As the first of 40 aircraft to be built in India, the test flight advances the programme's objective of delivering the first 'Made in India' C295 aircraft this year to the Indian Air Force."
The company said the successful test flight represents a major step forward in the C295 India programme and supports the Government of India's "Make in India" initiative.
Calling the project a "game changer", Airbus Defence stated, "A game changer in the Government of India's 'Make in India' vision, the C295 India programme is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector. The programme's progress reflects the steady and dedicated work of Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the several Indian MSMEs, which are manufacturing parts for the aircraft across India."
Airbus Defence further said, "We thank the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence and Government of India, for their unwavering trust in us. We are building the future of Indian aerospace."
Reacting to the successful maiden flight, the Indian Air Force (IAF) congratulated all stakeholders associated with the programme.
In a post on X, the IAF said, "The Indian Air Force congratulates the entire team behind the successful maiden flight of the first India-made C-295."
The IAF further said, "The achievement reinforces India's growing aerospace capabilities and underscores the Indian Air Force commitment to fostering indigenous defence capability under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive progress. As someone who's followed aerospace development globally, this test flight is a clear signal that India's private sector can deliver complex defense projects. The partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems looks promising.
Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan anymore—it's becoming reality! 🛩️ This C-295 programme will also create thousands of jobs in MSMEs across India. But I hope we also focus on developing our own engines and avionics, not just assembling foreign designs. Still, a proud moment for sure.
Great achievement! But let's not forget—this is still a foreign design licensed to India. We need to move beyond assembly and develop indigenous platforms like the ATF project. Still, it's a good stepping stone for our aerospace ecosystem. Good job, IAF and Tata!
This is fantastic news for India's defense manufacturing ambitions. The fact that 40 more will be built locally means significant technology transfer and skill development. Hope this paves the way for more complex aerospace projects in the future.
Seeing a military aircraft take flight from Vadodara—a city known for its aviation history—is deeply satisfying. This is exactly the kind of public-private partnership we need to reduce our defense imports. Kudos to everyone involved! 👏
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