October 26, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gujarat on Monday to inaugurate the Tata Aircraft Complex, a pivotal facility dedicated to the manufacturing of the C-295 military aircraft. Accompanying him will be Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, highlighting the international collaboration on this significant defense initiative.

Located within the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus, this facility marks a landmark achievement as India's first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft. The C-295 program involves the procurement of 56 aircraft, with 16 units to be delivered directly from Airbus in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be produced in India by TASL. This development aims to create a comprehensive production ecosystem, facilitating not just assembly but also maintenance and support for the aircraft.

The initiative will also involve key Indian defense firms, including Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., alongside various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), further bolstering the domestic defense sector.

PM Modi had previously laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara FAL in October 2022, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing indigenous defense capabilities.

Following the inauguration of the aircraft complex, Modi will visit the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. He will then travel to Amreli to unveil the Bharat Mata Sarovar and initiate several development projects worth over ₹4,800 crore. These projects aim to improve infrastructure across various districts, including Amreli, Jamnagar, and Morbi, with significant road enhancements planned for NH 151, NH 151A, and NH 51, as well as the Junagadh bypass.