Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday, traveling in an open jeep and greeting the crowd gathered on both sides of the 2.5-km route from the airport to the Tata aircraft complex.
The two leaders waved at spectators along the route, where performers showcased India’s rich cultural heritage. Their destination, the Tata Advanced Systems facility, is set to become India’s first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft.
At the complex, the leaders will inaugurate the facility for Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture C-295 aircraft in collaboration with Airbus. This Vadodara facility will produce 40 aircraft, while Airbus will supply 16 directly, making this a major milestone in India’s defense manufacturing. Tata Advanced Systems will oversee the entire ecosystem, from manufacturing and assembly to testing, delivery, and life-cycle maintenance.
Public and private entities, including Bharat Electronics, Bharat Dynamics, and MSMEs, will contribute to this program. The foundation stone for the facility was laid by PM Modi in October 2022. After the inauguration, Modi and Sanchez will proceed to the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace for a bilateral meeting to strengthen ties between India and Spain.
