Construction Begins On New C-295 Cargo Aircraft Factory

Construction has formally begun on a new facility to manufacture C-295 transport aircraft in Vadodara in India’s western Gujarat state, reports the India Press Information Bureau.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the ceremonial first foundation stone of the facility during a ceremony on Oct. 30.

The facility will build 40 C-295 transports for the Indian air force under an agreement between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems.

When completed, the factory will be India’s first privately owned transport aircraft manufacturing facility.

The total cost of the program is about US$3.4 billion.

Airbus is building the first 16 of 56 C-295s ordered by India, which are scheduled for delivery between September 2023 and August 2025. The first domestically produced aircraft is slated to be handed over in September 2026.