Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for the manufacturing of C-295 aircraft at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara. This significant event marks Sanchez’s first official visit to India, highlighting a new direction in the partnership between the two nations.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the TATA Aircraft Complex would not only enhance bilateral relations but also invigorate India’s mission of “Make in India, Make for the World.” He extended his best wishes to the teams at Airbus and TATA and paid tribute to the late Ratan Tata.
“This factory is a reflection of the new work culture of New India,” Modi stated, noting the facility’s readiness for production just two years after the foundation stone was laid in October 2022. He highlighted the importance of eliminating delays in project execution, recalling his previous work on the Bombardier Train Coach manufacturing facility in Vadodara, which became operational in record time.
“We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made public sector units more efficient, and empowered DRDO and HAL,” Modi noted, detailing the establishment of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu that have energized the sector. He also mentioned the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, which has supported the growth of around 1,000 defence start-ups in recent years. Modi stated that India’s defence exports have increased 30 times over the past decade, now reaching over 100 countries.
Looking beyond the transport aircraft being manufactured, Modi pointed out the unprecedented growth of India’s aviation sector, providing connectivity to numerous small cities while striving to establish India as a hub for aviation and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. With Indian airlines having ordered 1,200 new aircraft, the newly inaugurated facility is poised to play a pivotal role in both civil and military aviation manufacturing.
Highlighting Vadodara’s reputation as a stronghold of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Modi expressed confidence that the city would serve as a catalyst for India’s manufacturing ambitions. He also mentioned the presence of Gatishakti University, which is preparing professionals for various sectors, further supporting the region’s industrial ecosystem.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister expressed hope that this event would spark new collaboration projects between India and Spain. He invited Spanish industries and innovators to partner in India’s development journey.
The inauguration was attended by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
