India has officially received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain, completing a significant phase of its $2.5 billion defence procurement deal ahead of schedule. The final aircraft was handed over at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville, where Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik and senior Indian Air Force officials were present for the occasion.
The Indian Embassy in Spain confirmed on Saturday that the delivery took place two months ahead of the contracted timeline, calling it a major milestone in enhancing India’s defence aviation capabilities.
“The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India’s defence capabilities,” the embassy stated on social media platform X.
The Airbus C-295 is a multi-role tactical airlifter known for its exceptional versatility and reliability. It supports a wide range of operations, including troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, surveillance and reconnaissance, signals intelligence, close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and firefighting.
With over 300 aircraft contracted globally, the C-295 has a strong service record and is considered one of the most adaptable aircraft in its category, making it a valuable addition to India’s growing defence fleet.
This acquisition also represents a major step forward in India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Of the total 56 aircraft ordered, 40 will be manufactured domestically by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with Airbus—a landmark first for defence aircraft production in India.
The first C-295 was handed over to the Indian Air Force on September 13, 2023, in Seville, in a ceremony presided over by IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. Since then, deliveries have progressed swiftly, with this final handover now concluding the foreign supply phase of the deal.
The Indo-Spanish partnership in the defence sector continues to grow rapidly, with the C-295 deal seen as a cornerstone in deepening strategic collaboration and boosting indigenous aerospace manufacturing.