India's First Indigenous C-295 Military Transport Aircraft to Roll Out by September 2026, Announces EAM Jaishankar

The first C-295 military transport aircraft to be manufactured in India is anticipated to be completed by September 2026, as announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on January 21. This development highlights India's dedication to strengthening indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.

During a meeting in New Delhi with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, Jaishankar emphasized the significance of this milestone, which showcases the deepening defense industrial collaboration between India and Spain.

Jaishankar noted the significant transformations occurring in the global order and emphasized the need for international collaboration to tackle common challenges, particularly terrorism. He advocated for a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, noting the adverse effects experienced by both India and Spain.

Regarding defense cooperation, the minister mentioned that India has entered into a ₹21,935 crore agreement with Airbus Defence and Space to acquire 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Of these, 40 will be produced domestically, significantly enhancing India's defense manufacturing sector.

He recalled the inauguration of the C-295 final assembly line in Vadodara by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in October 2024, marking a crucial step towards localizing production.

Jaishankar also highlighted the economic partnership between India and Spain, noting its critical role in bilateral relations. He stated that Spain is an important trade partner for India within the European Union, with bilateral trade in goods surpassing $8 billion in recent years.

According to him, Spanish companies have a robust presence in India in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, urban mobility, engineering, and water management. Meanwhile, Indian businesses are active in Spain, particularly in the fields of information technology, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components. He acknowledged the potential to further enhance business cooperation.

The External Affairs Minister expressed gratitude to Spain for supporting stronger India-EU relations and welcomed Spain's involvement in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. He also highlighted the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India, stressing India's human-centric and ethical approach to artificial intelligence, which aligns closely with Europe's perspective.

Jaishankar remarked that India and Spain share a warm relationship based on democratic values, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order. The two nations will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, which will also be commemorated as the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture and Tourism.

He concluded by noting the strengthening of people-to-people ties, as evidenced by the growing popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda in Spain and the increasing interest in Spanish language and culture in India.