External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the first C-295 aircraft manufactured in India is expected to roll out before September 2026, marking a significant milestone in India's defence manufacturing capabilities. The announcement was made following his meeting with Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in New Delhi on January 21, 2026.

Major Defence Manufacturing Milestone

Jaishankar emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating that it reflects the "growing depth of our defence industrial collaboration" between India and Spain. The Airbus-Tata C-295 Final Assembly Line in Vadodara was jointly inaugurated by leaders from both countries in October 2024, nearly two years after the project's initiation.

"We are expecting the first 'Made in India' C-295 aircraft to roll out of the factory before September this year. It reflects the growing depth of our defence industrial collaboration and our commitment to build resilient manufacturing capabilities," Jaishanker stated.

C-295 Programme Details

The Airbus C-295, formerly known as CASA C-295, is a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft designed in Spain. The programme operates under a comprehensive contract framework established in 2021.

Under the agreement, Airbus is responsible for delivering the first 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its Seville facility in Spain, while the remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured domestically at the Vadodara facility.

Strengthening India-Spain Relations

During the bilateral meeting, both ministers discussed the expanding partnership between India and Spain. Jaishankar described the relationship as "warm and friendly relations" grounded in democratic values, respect for multilateralism, and a rule-based global order. He noted that political engagement between the two countries has expanded steadily through regular high-level exchanges.

Economic Partnership Focus

Emphasizing the economic dimension of the relationship, Jaishankar highlighted that "economic partnership is an important pillar of our relationship." Spain ranks among India's key trade partners within the European Union, with bilateral trade in goods exceeding $8 billion in recent years.

Spain's Foreign Minister José Albares reviewed bilateral trade ties "very positively," describing recent growth as "significant and more balanced than in previous periods." Both sides discussed the possibility of elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in the near future.

Cultural and Future-Oriented Cooperation

The two countries will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations this year and observe a Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence. Jaishankar noted that this initiative reflects a shared focus on heritage and future-oriented cooperation, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of India-Spain engagement beyond defence and trade partnerships.