India Moving Towards ‘Made in India’ Civil Aircraft Era: Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu

New Delhi, July 2026 : Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Sunday said India is steadily progressing towards a future where its citizens will fly in indigenously manufactured civil aircraft, highlighting the rapid growth of the country’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem under the Centre’s flagship ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

The minister made the remarks while sharing a video showcasing India’s first domestically manufactured Airbus C-295 tactical military transport aircraft, describing the project as a defining milestone in the country’s journey towards becoming a global aerospace manufacturing hub.

Taking to social media platform X, Naidu said he recently visited the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) production facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, where the C-295 aircraft are being assembled in collaboration with Airbus.

“Visited the TASL facility in Vadodara, where the C-295 aircraft are being built. This remarkable facility is a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. As India strengthens its aerospace manufacturing capabilities, we are steadily moving towards a future where Indians will proudly fly in Made in India civil aircraft,” the minister wrote.

The C-295 programme marks a historic first for India’s private aerospace sector, as it is the first time a sophisticated military transport aircraft is being manufactured in the country by a private company. The project is being executed jointly by Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited under the government’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The programme is part of a $2.6-billion contract signed in 2021 between India and Airbus Defence and Space for the acquisition of 56 C-295 medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Under the agreement, the first 16 aircraft are being supplied in flyaway condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 are being manufactured and assembled at the state-of-the-art Vadodara facility.

The project is expected to significantly boost India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities while creating a robust domestic supply chain involving hundreds of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It also represents a major step towards reducing dependence on imported defence platforms and enhancing self-reliance in aviation technology.

Further strengthening the country’s aerospace infrastructure, the upcoming Dholera International Airport in Gujarat is expected to host dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for the C-295 fleet, providing long-term operational support and creating additional opportunities for the domestic aviation industry.

In another significant achievement, the first India-assembled C-295 aircraft rolled out from the final assembly line in May before successfully completing its maiden test flight on June 10. The successful flight was hailed by the Indian Air Force as a landmark accomplishment in India’s aerospace journey, reflecting the country’s growing capability to manufacture advanced aircraft and laying the foundation for future indigenous civil aviation programmes.