Vadodara, Oct 28 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez led a roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday morning, traveling in an open jeep and waving to crowds along a 2.5-km stretch from the airport to the Tata Advanced Systems complex. Enthusiastic spectators lined both sides of the route, where traditional Indian performances showcased the country’s cultural diversity in honor of the visiting dignitaries.
The leaders will jointly inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems facility, India’s first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft, where the C-295 aircraft will be manufactured. As part of the agreement, Airbus will supply 16 aircraft directly, while Tata Advanced Systems will build 40 more locally, with a focus on establishing a complete ecosystem encompassing manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and lifecycle maintenance of the aircraft.
Following the facility’s inauguration, Modi and Sanchez will proceed to Vadodara’s iconic Laxmi Vilas Palace for a bilateral meeting. The C-295 project will involve collaboration with Bharat Electronics, Bharat Dynamics, and various private small and medium enterprises, marking a significant step in India’s defense manufacturing sector. Modi had previously laid the foundation stone for this facility in October 2022.
