India To Roll Out First Indigenous C-295 Aircraft
India will roll out its first domestically built C-295 military transport aircraft by September 2026. The aircraft is being manufactured at the final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, as part of a joint programme to supply transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
Project Details
India has ordered 56 C-295 aircraft to replace its ageing Avro transport fleet. Of these, the first 16 aircraft are being delivered in flyaway condition from abroad, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured and assembled in India. The Vadodara facility will handle structural assembly, systems integration, and testing of the aircraft.
Why It Matters
The rollout will mark a major milestone for India’s defence manufacturing sector, as it will be the first time a military aircraft is built in the country by the private sector. The project is expected to boost the domestic aerospace ecosystem, generate skilled employment, and reduce dependence on imports.
What Comes Next
After rollout, the aircraft will undergo ground and flight testing before induction into the Indian Air Force. Serial production is expected to continue over the next few years as deliveries progress in phases.
