India has achieved a major milestone in defence manufacturing as the first Made-in-India C-295 military transport aircraft successfully completed its maiden test flight at the Tata-Airbus final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat. The achievement marks a significant step in the country's efforts to strengthen indigenous aerospace and defence production under the Make in India initiative.The C-295 programme is being executed through a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence. Under a Rs 21,935 crore contract signed in 2021, 16 aircraft are being supplied from Spain while 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India. The aircraft is expected to replace the ageing Avro-748 fleet of the Indian Air Force and enhance its tactical airlift capabilities.