Modi and Sanchez Inaugurate India’s First Private Military Aircraft Plant
On October 28, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez celebrated the inauguration of India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing facility, the Tata Aircraft Complex, located in Vadodara, Gujarat. This significant development aims to strengthen India’s defense and aerospace industries, particularly through the collaboration between Tata and Airbus, which will produce the Airbus C-295 transport aircraft.
During the inauguration, Sanchez emphasized that this project is a testament to Modi’s ambition to transform India into an industrial hub and a favorable destination for investment and business collaborations. He remarked that the partnership between Airbus and Tata signifies a significant advancement for the Indian aerospace sector and could attract more European companies to explore opportunities in India.
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Prime Minister Modi also spoke at the event, highlighting that the establishment of this aircraft factory would cultivate new skills and foster new industries within India. He noted that the country is now supplying components to major global aircraft manufacturers, marking a significant step in its industrial capabilities.
The collaboration between Tata and Airbus stems from a €2.3 billion agreement signed in 2021, which includes the provision of 16 C-295 aircraft from Spain. So far, six of these aircraft have been delivered to the Indian Air Force, with Tata set to manufacture an additional 40 units at the new Vadodara facility. The first C-295 is expected to be operational by 2026.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has prioritized the transformation of India into a global manufacturing center by promoting domestic defense production and relaxing foreign investment regulations. The opening of this plant reflects his ongoing efforts to modernize the defense sector and enhance self-reliance in military capabilities.
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Sanchez’s visit marks the first time in 18 years that a Spanish leader has traveled to India. During his stay, he and Modi are expected to engage in discussions concerning bilateral relations and finalize agreements in several sectors, including trade, information technology, renewable energy, and defense. Additionally, Sanchez plans to visit Mumbai to connect with business leaders and explore potential collaborations in the film industry.
In terms of trade, relations between India and Spain have been growing, with bilateral trade amounting to nearly €9.2 billion in 2023. The presence of over 200 Spanish companies operating in India, along with around 80 Indian firms in Spain, highlights the strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
