First Made-in-India C-295 Military Aircraft to Roll Out Before September 2026: EAM Jaishankar
India is set to cross a major defence milestone, with the first Made-in-India C-295 military transport aircraft expected to roll out before September 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on January 21.
The announcement came during talks with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in New Delhi, where Jaishankar underlined India’s accelerating push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and deeper industrial collaboration with global partners like Spain.
Calling the current global phase one of intense transformation, Jaishankar stressed the need for nations to work together to tackle shared threats, particularly terrorism. He said the world must move towards absolute zero tolerance on terrorism, noting that both India and Spain have endured its consequences firsthand.
On defence cooperation, the Minister highlighted India’s ₹21,935-crore agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for the acquisition of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Of these, 40 aircraft will be produced domestically, giving a significant boost to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and localisation efforts.
He recalled that in October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez jointly inaugurated the C-295 final assembly line in Vadodara, marking a critical step in bringing advanced aerospace manufacturing to Indian soil.
Beyond defence, Jaishankar said economic engagement remains a cornerstone of India–Spain relations. Spain ranks among India’s key trade partners within the European Union, with bilateral trade in goods exceeding $8 billion in recent years. Spanish firms are actively involved in India across sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, urban transport, engineering, and water management, while Indian companies have built a footprint in Spain in IT services, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components.
He noted strong scope for expanding business collaboration further and thanked Spain for supporting stronger India–EU ties, as well as for joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Jaishankar also pointed to emerging cooperation in technology, mentioning that India will host the AI Impact Summit next month. He said India’s approach to artificial intelligence is human-centric, inclusive, and grounded in ethical responsibility, closely resonating with European values.
Highlighting the broader relationship, Jaishankar said India and Spain share warm and friendly ties anchored in democratic principles, multilateralism, and a rules-based global order. The year 2026 will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, to be celebrated as the India–Spain Dual Year of Culture and Tourism.
He added that growing people-to-people connections - seen in the rising popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda in Spain and increasing interest in the Spanish language and culture in India - continue to add depth and soul to the partnership.
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