Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara. The prime minister termed it a “historic day in the aerospace sector of New India towards being Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Speaking at the launch event, PM Modi said: “India today is making its own fighter plane, tanks, submarines. Not just that, India-made medicines and vaccines have saved countless lives across the world. Make in India, make for the globe is the new mantra.”
He also said that more than 100 MSME suppliers will be associated with the project, which will help in realising the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the Globe’.
The UDAN scheme has also given our aviation sector a big boost. In the coming years, India will require over 2000 aircrafts. Today we have taken a step towards meeting this global demand, he said.
The C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force will be manufactured by Tata-Airbus, said Defence Ministry officials.Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports, as per Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Today, for the first time in the country, the foundation stone of an aircraft manufacturing facility is being laid by the private sector. It is certainly a matter of pride for the defence sector as well as for the entire country.”
“It is not just a foundation stone but a milestone in the defence sector’s ‘Atmanirbharta’ journey. C-295 aircraft manufactured at this facility will be state-of-the-art aircraft with superior capabilities and global standards. It will significantly enhance the logistic capability of Indian Air Force,” Singh added.
