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Spain PM Pedro Sanchez Arrives in India for Launch of Country’s First Private Military Aircraft Facility

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In a milestone for India’s defense manufacturing sector, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in India on October 28, 2023, to inaugurate the country’s first private facility for military aircraft manufacturing, located in Vadodara, Gujarat. This facility, the result of a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Defence and Space, will manufacture the C295 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The plant represents a significant advance in the 'Make in India' initiative, aiming to strengthen India’s indigenous defense capabilities by creating a complete production ecosystem that encompasses manufacture, assembly, testing, and maintenance.

The Indian government awarded a $2.5 billion contract to Airbus in 2021 to supply 56 C295 aircraft to replace the aging Avro fleet in the IAF. While Airbus will initially deliver 16 aircraft from its Seville, Spain facility, the Vadodara plant will assemble the remaining 40 by 2031. This is the first full-scale Airbus production facility outside Europe, marking a strong shift in global manufacturing dynamics. The first India-made C295 aircraft is expected to be completed by 2026.

The C295 aircraft is designed for versatile tactical operations and can operate from short or unprepared airstrips, carrying up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. It is also suitable for logistical missions, medical evacuations, disaster response, and maritime patrol. Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd., and various Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will support TASL in this project, creating a robust network of local defense industry partnerships.

During his visit, Prime Minister Sanchez will hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara to explore potential areas of enhanced cooperation. Beyond the inauguration, Sanchez’s three-day visit includes meetings with business and industry leaders in Mumbai, where he aims to boost collaborations in sectors like renewable energy, IT, and entertainment. Notably, he will address the Spain India Forum in Mumbai, focusing on strengthening ties in trade, culture, and tourism between the two nations.

The visit underscores the deepening relationship between India and Spain, which was bolstered by Modi’s visit to Spain in 2017. Expected outcomes include the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation across diverse fields. Sanchez's visit highlights India’s growing importance as a defense and manufacturing partner on the world stage, marking a transformative step in the nation’s quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

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