Tata Advanced Systems is intensifying its collaboration with Airbus SAS to enhance India’s defence supply chain and introduce new products that meet the country’s defence needs. The partnership involves significant investments in developing capabilities, including the manufacture of detailed parts, raw material acquisition, and the establishment of sub-assembly and assembly facilities.
The project will unfold in phases, with the initial focus on advancing metallic and composite manufacturing technologies, along with electric harnesses, to reinforce India’s supply chain. The primary objective is to address the demand for military transport aircraft as India seeks to replace its aging military transport fleet.
In 2021, Airbus secured an agreement with the Indian Air Force for 56 C-295 military transport aircraft, valued at Rs 21,395 crore. Looking beyond transport aircraft, Airbus aims to leverage the supply chain for various defence platforms, as the Indian military anticipates a need for approximately 100 planes.
This strategic partnership aligns with India’s efforts to establish a robust domestic defence supply chain, encouraging global defence companies to invest and manufacture within the country. Initiatives such as Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, indigenisation lists, and defence industrial corridors underscore India’s commitment to facilitating the entry of foreign companies, supporting start-ups, and fostering research in the country.
