Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated an aircraft manufacturing facility in Gujarat's Vadodara, which will collaborate with Spain's Airbus to develop fighter aircraft.

The Tata aircraft complex, slated to manufacture 40 C-295 aircraft beginning in 2026, will be producing India's first privately built military aircraft.

Addressing the event, PM Modi said that the aircraft manufacturing facility will enhance defence capabilities and strengthen relations between India and Spain. He said, "From today, we are giving a new direction to India and Spain's partnership. We are inaugurating the production factory of C-295 aircraft. This factory will strengthen India-Spain relations..."

"It will also strengthen our 'Make in India, Make for the World' mission. This ecosystem will help make the first civil aircraft in the country," PM Modi added.

Sanchez remarked, in addition to contributing to modernising India's defence capabilities, the facility will also drive technological development.

He said, "This aircraft is a symbol of the Spanish and European aeronautical industry. In addition to contributing to modernising India's defence capabilities, it will also drive technological development, particularly for the state of Gujarat, India's leading manufacturing hub. Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created here and a new generation of highly qualified engineers and technicians will be trained".