India Inaugurates C-295 Aircraft Facility In Vadodara, Boosting Defence Manufacturing

In a landmark event for India’s defence and aerospace sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the C-295 aircraft manufacturing complex in Vadodara on Monday (28 October). This facility, completed in just two years, symbolizes India’s accelerated progress towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aligning with its “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision.

Transformation of Defence Ecosystem

Defence production in India has risen to ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, and exports have surged from ₹1,000 crore in 2014 to ₹21,000 crore. India has also indigenised over 12,300 items in three years. The government’s dedicated defence R&D budget and investments in domestic vendors are fostering innovation. The ecosystem now includes indigenous warships, missiles, and bulletproof jackets, enhancing India’s strategic capabilities.

Call to Innovators and Industry

India’s defence sector now offers unprecedented opportunities, with two Defence Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and initiatives like iDEX promoting a startup ecosystem. Prime Minister Modi urged youth, startups, and manufacturers to join in building a globally competitive defence industry. Through supportive policies, India aims to reduce import dependency, create jobs, and emerge as a leader in defence manufacturing.

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