Airbus Executive Confirms 1st India-Made C295 Military Aircraft to Fly Before 2026

At recently concluded event SES 2026, Ankur Gupta, Director of Strategy, Int’l & Industrial Partnerships, Airbus Defence & Space has confirmed that the first Indian-made C295 military transport aircraft will fly out before the end of the current year 2026, with the first Indian-made H125 helicopter expected to follow early next year. The announcement was made by Ankur Gupta, Director of Strategy, International & Industrial Partnerships, Airbus Defence & Space, during a panel discussion at the 15th Strategic Electronics Summit – Defence & Aerospace (SES) 2026.

Speaking on "Session II: Building a Supply Chain for the Indian Pvt. Sector Platform Manufacturers," Gupta said the C295 final assembly line in Vadodara is fully operational — not under construction  and that the first India-made C295 will fly out before the end of the calendar year. He said the H125 helicopter final assembly line is also up and running, with the first India-made H125 expected to fly early next year.

Gupta stated that the C295 programme marks the first time the private sector in India will manufacture a complete military aerospace platform domestically, with the aircraft flying directly out of the Indian facility rather than leaving in parts or by truck. "It is built here, it is certified here and it will fly here," he said.

He noted that A...