India's First 'Made-in-India' Airbus C295 Military Transport Aircraft Completes Maiden Test Flight
India's first privately manufactured military transport aircraft, the Airbus C295, successfully completed its maiden test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat on June 10, 2026. The aircraft was produced through a partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) as part of a broader Indian Air Force procurement of 56 C295s worth approximately ₹21,935 crore, with 40 of those to be assembled domestically. The milestone marks the first time a military aircraft has been manufactured in India by the private sector, advancing the government's 'Make in India' defence initiative.
The first 'Made in India' Airbus C295 military transport aircraft, seen airborne in an unpainted green primer finish, completed its maiden test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara on June 10, 2026, a significant milestone for India's aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. The aircraft is being produced under a partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, with Indian MSMEs also contributing components across the country. The Indian Air Force is procuring a total of 56 C295 aircraft at a cost of around ₹21,935 crore, of which 40 will be assembled domestically in Vadodara; the remaining 16 were delivered directly from Airbus's Spain facility. Delivery of the first India-made aircraft to the IAF is expected to begin in September 2026, following the completion of post-production testing. The C295 is intended to replace the ageing Antonov An-32 transport aircraft and can carry up to 9,000 kg of payload, accommodate 24 stretchers, or transport a comparable number of paratroopers. Both Airbus Defence and the Indian Air Force hailed the achievement as reinforcing India's growing aerospace capabilities and its commitment to indigenous defence production under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision. The programme is described as the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector.
What's missing
The articles do not specify the duration or technical outcomes of the maiden test flight, nor do they detail what further testing milestones must be cleared before the aircraft is formally delivered to the IAF in September 2026.
What different sources said
- Moneycontrol.comCenter
Watch: First 'Made in India' military aircraft C-295 carries out maiden test flight; IAF to get delivery...
- Times of IndiaCenter
'Made in India' Airbus C295 takes to the skies for first test flight - Watch
- NDTVCenter
How 'Made In India' Passenger Jets Will Change Indian Aviation Forever
- The HinduCenter
First made-in-India C-295 carries out maiden test flight
- Deutsche WelleCenter
India bets big on domestic drones for future warfare
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