As is widely understood, the annual Budget is a political document responding to short to medium-term economic challenges. Formally, it is an annual revenue and expenditure statement outlining the government’s priorities. As with any financial statement, the fine print matters the most, not obvious from the media headlines. Yet, it is useful to read the Budget closely to glean the broad direction of economic policy, especially as there are no other long-term policy documents or explicit economic targets in the public domain to locate the annual Budget.

Setting to the Budget

The proximate context of the Budget is the recent eruption of geopolitical turmoil triggered during the second term of the Donald Trump presidency in the United States. Many political and economic arrangements — or, the rules and norms of international relations that have been in place since the fall of the Berlin Wall — are now upended. India’s long-term economic and security arrangements with Russia are under threat. Mr. Trump’s steep tariffs on India’s labour-intensive goods have dashed hopes of a closer economic relationship with the U.S. In response, India is seeking closer ties with the European Union in the form of “mother of all” free trade agreement (FTA), though its details are still unclear. India’s import dependence on China continues despite the policy efforts taken, since 2020, to correct this. Diplomatic relations remain strained. For instance, China has imposed restrictions on the exports of critical minerals, tunnel boring machines and the services of skilled workers for the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Editorial | Credible and creditable: On Union Budget 2026-27

Budget 2026-27 needs to be read in this context. Unlike previously, this Budget highlights the urgency of strengthening domestic manufacturing. It also aims to streamline import duties and procedures in order to reduce imports and achieve self-reliance, and to speed up exports.

Factually speaking, the Indian manufacturing sector has not performed satisfactorily for a while now, despite headline GDP growth of 6.5% to 7% annually in real terms (net of inflation). India has deindustrialised prematurely; the share of manufacturing in GDP has declined or, at best, has remained constant. Manufacturing employment in total employment has also declined. The official GDP numbers for manufacturing seem overstated due to infirmities in estimation. Alternative figures, based on the more reliable Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), based on time-tested production accounts of factories, show distinctly slower output growth rates. With very modest growth in fixed investment (or gross fixed capital formation), industrial capacity has eroded during the last decade.

Rising import dependence for most capital and intermediate goods is a reason for modest industrial performance. An inverted duty structure wherein intermediate goods face higher tariffs than final goods seems to be responsible for the poor industrial investments. Policy initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ (2014), Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (or Self-Reliant India Movement) in 2020 and Production Linked Incentives (2021) seem to have largely failed to dent India’s rising import dependence in manufactured goods despite some widely applauded successes in mobile phone assembly (with high import content, best exemplified by Apple iPhone exports).

Hence, the Budget aims to tackle domestic vulnerabilities.

The tariff modifications seem to correct for the inverted duty structures (IDS) by reducing basic customs duties on capital and intermediate goods in order to encourage domestic value addition. Likewise, rationalising procedures at points of entry of goods would perhaps reduce delays, thus improving ease of production and exports.

Focus on electronics, the China factor

The Budget makes substantial provision for augmenting the production of electronics parts and sub-assemblies, which form the single largest product-group of dependence on China. The same holds for rare earth materials (used in the production of EVs and electronic goods) — a choke point as the Economic Survey recently and rightly highlighted. To tackle it, the Budget proposes to create a dedicated rare earths corridor running through “mineral-rich States of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu … to promote mining, processing, research and manufacturing”. Similar to encouraging the production of lithium-ion cells for battery storage, the Budget proposes to extend the tax exemption on capital goods to produce these items.

Policymakers perceive India’s trade integration has to begin with labour-intensive goods. Now, with the Trump tariffs on India’s exports, there is an acute need to enhance the productivity of such goods to overcome these tariffs and ensure diversification away from the U.S. In line with this view, the Budget has laid emphasis on promoting new Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clusters, modernising the old or “legacy” clusters (about 120 of them), and providing financial assistance to MSMEs to tap the capital market. In principle, these measures are welcome.

However, the Budget seems to fall short in efforts to boost fixed investment. To augment industrial capabilities, India needs to encourage investments in high-tech industries. Such technologies are mostly proprietary items of multinational corporations that often come bundled with foreign direct investment (FDI). In recent years, net FDI, as a ratio of GDP, has become practically zero. The Budget seems to make little effort to correct for the decline in foreign high-tech investments. Geopolitical uncertainties perhaps make it difficult to attract such technology-intensive investments, at least for now.

While the government is committed to promoting exports, the Budget has permitted firms located in special economic zones (SEZs) to sell a part of their output in domestic territory. This seems regressive. The government should tackle their hurdles to augment exports, rather than choose the softer option of allowing sales in the domestic market.

A silence on Centre-State fiscal issues

The Budget, which has been presented in a difficult global context, seems well-intentioned to tackle import dependence in domestic manufacturing to attain greater self-reliance. However, considering the uncertainties, the Budget seems silent on many difficult issues. Centre-State fiscal issues have also been overlooked, considering the impending implementation of the recommendations of the Sixteenth Finance Commission. Whether the proposed measures would yield desired results to reverse India’s industrial decline and import dependence (especially on China, a strategic threat) would depend on the specifics of the proposals (which we have not seen) and how they are implemented.

R. Nagaraj was with the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai

Published – February 02, 2026 12:16 am IST

New Delhi:

India is emerging as a global economic powerhouse, and its sail is fanned by remarkable achievements in the export sector. Over the past decade, the country evolved from being heavily reliant on imports and emerged as a global leader in exports across various sectors. The remarkable turnaround, a direct result of the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, is reflected in India’s ability to leverage advanced technology, innovative practices, and competitive manufacturing to meet global demands. 

Products once synonymous with Western markets, like smartphones, electric cars, french fries or premium coffee, are now proudly made in India and exported worldwide. From daily consumables to high-tech gadgets and eco-friendly vehicles, India is no longer just a consumer but a creator and supplier to the world.

The ‘Make in India’ iPhone Story

Enabled by the Modi government’s smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, a major American company like Apple is not only manufacturing in India but also exporting its products to other countries. In 2024, Apple exported iPhones worth over Rs 1 lakh crore from India, marking a record-breaking achievement. 

The value of India’s iPhone exports increased by 42 per cent in just one year, rising from $9 billion in 2023 to $12.8 billion in 2024. Domestic production of iPhones also grew by nearly 46 per cent, and local contribution to manufacturing (value addition) increased to 15-20 per cent.  

India’s First EV Exports

French carmaker Citroen, which entered the Indian market in 2021, is now exporting the ‘Made in India’ electric vehicle (EV) to international markets. The company has made significant investments in India, including building a plant in Tamil Nadu. In April 2024, the company exported its first batch of ‘Citroen e-C3’ EVs to Indonesia from Kamarajar Port, showcasing India’s capability to produce high-quality electric vehicles for the world. 

Citroen’s success shows how India is moving ahead in the automobile sector, especially in cleaner and greener technologies. It shows that India is not only a strategic market but also a major sourcing hub for vehicles, components, and mobility technologies. 

‘Made-in-India’ Maruti Fronx Goes Global

India’s automobile industry achieved another milestone with Maruti Suzuki’s Fronx SUV becoming a hit in the Japanese market. This is the first SUV made by Maruti Suzuki India to be launched in Japan, marking a proud moment for the country. 

Maruti Suzuki shipped the first consignment of more than 1,600 units of the ‘Made-in-India’ cars to Japan in August 2024. The SUV is currently being exported to over 70 countries across the globe. 

French Fries Exporters

In the mid-2000s, India was importing over 5,000 tonnes of French fries– a popular American snack, annually. The import peaked at 7,863 tonnes in 2010-11 (Mar-Apr). However, over the past few years, India emerged as a major exporter of the potato product.

In 2023-24, the country exported 135,877 tonnes of French fries valued at Rs 1,478.73 crore, reaching markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Japan, and Taiwan. 

Brewing Success with Indian Coffee

India’s coffee industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with exports nearly doubling over the last 4 years. In FY 2023-24, coffee exports reached an impressive $1.29 billion, up from $719.42 million in 2020-21, positioning India as the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world. Indian coffee is now a favourite across international borders. 

New Delhi:

India’s manufacturing industry is bearing the brunt of a fallout between the United States and China over threats of a trade and tariff war by the incoming Trump administration, and its retaliatory measures imposed by Beijing.

In recent years, under its flagship ‘Make in India’ programme, India has seen exponential growth in key sectors like solar power, electronics and mobile manufacturing, and the automobile sector, especially for electric vehicles or EVs – all of which are directly or indirectly dependent on raw materials, components, and ancillaries supplied by China.

As China prepares for an imminent face-off with the US, which may be just days away with Donald Trump’s return as President on January 20, Beijing has already made the first move by taking some precautionary measures as a warning to Washington that it too will suffer the trade war.

China has put restrictions on the export of key raw materials, essential rare earth minerals, components, high-tech equipment, and machinery which are needed to manufacture solar panels, its parts, mobile phones and other gadgets, as well as EVs and its batteries.

These curbs not just pertain to direct exports to the United States, but to any other country which uses them to manufacture finished products meant to be shipped to the US.

In December 2024, China banned the export of gallium and germanium, which are vital for solar cell production. Shortly after that, it also banned antimony, critical for semiconductors and essential defence technologies. Earlier this month, Beijing further declared that it will now add lithium extraction and battery cathode technologies – which are crucial for EV battery manufacturing – to its controlled export list.

With the US having reduced its dependence on China for a large part of its overall imports, Washington has, in recent years, increasingly turned to New Delhi as an alternative to Beijing to fill the deficit. And so, China’s latest curbs, though aimed at the US, has indirectly hurt India too.

“Indian firms in electronics, solar, and EV sectors are facing major delays and disruptions as China has blocked exports of inputs and machinery,” economic think-tank GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding that “India is particularly vulnerable to China’s export restrictions, as many of its industries depend on Chinese machinery, intermediate goods, and components.”

“This also signals deeper geopolitical tensions and trade war. We hope India-specific restrictions go away soon as they will also hurt China,” he added.

India’s imports from China increased to $101.73 billion in 2023-24 from $98.5 billion in 2022-23.

The think-tank even suggested that China’s moves may be double-edged, as Beijing has been displeased for a while over New Delhi’s restrictions on Chinese investments and visas for its nationals.

In 2020, shortly after the deadly Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh, the Government of India had made it mandatory for countries sharing land borders with India to seek its approval for investments in any sector. The move was also made keeping in mind India’s national security objectives in its volatile neighbourhood.
 

New Delhi:

India’s manufacturing industry is bearing the brunt of a fallout between the United States and China over threats of a trade and tariff war by the incoming Trump administration, and its retaliatory measures imposed by Beijing.

In recent years, under its flagship ‘Make in India’ programme, India has seen exponential growth in key sectors like solar power, electronics and mobile manufacturing, and the automobile sector, especially for electric vehicles or EVs – all of which are directly or indirectly dependent on raw materials, components, and ancillaries supplied by China.

As China prepares for an imminent face-off with the US, which may be just days away with Donald Trump’s return as President on January 20, Beijing has already made the first move by taking some precautionary measures as a warning to Washington that it too will suffer the trade war.

China has put restrictions on the export of key raw materials, essential rare earth minerals, components, high-tech equipment, and machinery which are needed to manufacture solar panels, its parts, mobile phones and other gadgets, as well as EVs and its batteries.

These curbs not just pertain to direct exports to the United States, but to any other country which uses them to manufacture finished products meant to be shipped to the US.

In December 2024, China banned the export of gallium and germanium, which are vital for solar cell production. Shortly after that, it also banned antimony, critical for semiconductors and essential defence technologies. Earlier this month, Beijing further declared that it will now add lithium extraction and battery cathode technologies – which are crucial for EV battery manufacturing – to its controlled export list.

With the US having reduced its dependence on China for a large part of its overall imports, Washington has, in recent years, increasingly turned to New Delhi as an alternative to Beijing to fill the deficit. And so, China’s latest curbs, though aimed at the US, has indirectly hurt India too.

“Indian firms in electronics, solar, and EV sectors are facing major delays and disruptions as China has blocked exports of inputs and machinery,” economic think-tank GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding that “India is particularly vulnerable to China’s export restrictions, as many of its industries depend on Chinese machinery, intermediate goods, and components.”

“This also signals deeper geopolitical tensions and trade war. We hope India-specific restrictions go away soon as they will also hurt China,” he added.

India’s imports from China increased to $101.73 billion in 2023-24 from $98.5 billion in 2022-23.

The think-tank even suggested that China’s moves may be double-edged, as Beijing has been displeased for a while over New Delhi’s restrictions on Chinese investments and visas for its nationals.

In 2020, shortly after the deadly Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh, the Government of India had made it mandatory for countries sharing land borders with India to seek its approval for investments in any sector. The move was also made keeping in mind India’s national security objectives in its volatile neighbourhood.
 

New Delhi:

India’s aim to become a global manufacturing hub for defence has taken a leap in the last decade with a ten-fold rise in defence exports, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Sharing the numbers, he said India’s exports have crossed a record Rs 21,000 crore, up from Rs. 2,000 crore ten years ago.

Mr Singh went on to say that India has set a target for annual defence exports to cross Rs. 50,000 crore within the next five years. He was addressing officers at the Army War College in Mhow Cantonment in Madhya Pradesh.

“Our defence exports, which were around Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago, have crossed the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore today. We have set an export target of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” Mr Singh said.

The defence minister’s speech focused on the evolving nature of warfare globally. He emphasised on how the mastering of frontier technologies is essential in today’s era of technology.

Elaborating on his statement, Mr Singh said “Unconventional methods of warfare – like information warfare, Artificial Intelligence or AI-based warfare, proxy warfare, electromagnetic warfare, space warfare, and cyber-attacks are posing a big challenge.” He stressed on the need for the military to be well-trained and equipped to fend off such attacks.

Speaking about challenges at a global level, Mr Singh said that some officers will in future be sent s defence attaches. They must ensure that national interests are secure at the global level. “When you take up this post of defence attaches, you should imbibe the government’s vision of ‘aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Only through self-reliance can India strengthen its defence capabilities and gain more respect on the world stage,” he said.

Stressing on the importance of a strong economy and a robust national security, the defence minister said “Economic prosperity is possible only when full attention is paid to security. Similarly, the security system will be robust only when the economy is strong. Both complement each other.”

Upon his arrival at Mhow Contonment, Rajnath Singh was briefed about significance of the Army War College in training and empowering military leaders for war-fighting across the entire spectrum of warfare.

Mr Singh was also apprised about the global footprint that the institute achieved via training of officers from friendly countries and contributing immensely towards military diplomacy.

(Inputs from PTI)
 

Moscow:

Russia will set up manufacturing plants across India, Vladimir Putin said today as he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “India-first” policies. President Putin, who spoke at an investment summit in Moscow today, said he was impressed by how PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative was “strengthening India’s position globally”.

Expressing his admiration for Prime Minister Modi, President Putin acknowledged how New Delhi’s policies have contributed to India’s development by creating a a stable environment for growth.

Impressed with the ‘Make in India’ policy, Mr Putin said, “Prime Minister Modi has a program called Make in India. We are also ready to set up our manufacturing operations in India. The Indian government, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, has been creating stable conditions, driven by a policy of putting India first. We believe that investing in India is profitable.” He said that Russian company Rosneft has recently invested $20 billion in India.

Mr Putin also emphasised how India’s leadership has focused on “prioritising its national interests” which has translated to India’s robust growth and the well-being of its citizens, making a special mention of how India created “stable conditions” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In his speech at the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum, President Putin also highlighted the significance of the evolution of the BRICS and BRICS+ forums and the contribution of Russia’s import substitution program in that context.

President Putin also urged for greater cooperation among BRICS nations to support the growth of SMEs and encouraged member countries to identify key areas for collaboration at the upcoming summit in Brazil next year. “I urge my BRICS colleagues to evaluate the current situation in key areas of cooperation,” he said.

Referring to the investment platform Russia is developing with partner countries in BRICS, President Putin said that it has the potential to benefit all partners and is expected to become an important instrument for supporting our economies and providing financial resources to the countries of the Global South and East.
 

Moscow:

Russia will set up manufacturing plants across India, Vladimir Putin said today as he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “India-first” policies. President Putin, who spoke at an investment summit in Moscow today, said he was impressed by how PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative was “strengthening India’s position globally”.

Expressing his admiration for Prime Minister Modi, President Putin acknowledged how New Delhi’s policies have contributed to India’s development by creating a a stable environment for growth.

Impressed with the ‘Make in India’ policy, Mr Putin said, “Prime Minister Modi has a program called Make in India. We are also ready to set up our manufacturing operations in India. The Indian government, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, has been creating stable conditions, driven by a policy of putting India first. We believe that investing in India is profitable.” He said that Russian company Rosneft has recently invested $20 billion in India.

Mr Putin also emphasised how India’s leadership has focused on “prioritising its national interests” which has translated to India’s robust growth and the well-being of its citizens, making a special mention of how India created “stable conditions” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In his speech at the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum, President Putin also highlighted the significance of the evolution of the BRICS and BRICS+ forums and the contribution of Russia’s import substitution program in that context.

President Putin also urged for greater cooperation among BRICS nations to support the growth of SMEs and encouraged member countries to identify key areas for collaboration at the upcoming summit in Brazil next year. “I urge my BRICS colleagues to evaluate the current situation in key areas of cooperation,” he said.

Referring to the investment platform Russia is developing with partner countries in BRICS, President Putin said that it has the potential to benefit all partners and is expected to become an important instrument for supporting our economies and providing financial resources to the countries of the Global South and East.
 

New Delhi:

Amid a rise in global demand for it, India today successfully completed the flight-test of its advanced guided weapon system Pinaka. During the test, the Pinaka system’s range, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode were assessed.

“Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO has successfully completed the flight-tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials,” the Defence Ministry said today, adding that the flight-tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.

“Twelve rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested,” the statement said.

With this, New Delhi’s defence manufacturing push under ‘Make in India’ is gaining momentum. France has recently showed interest in the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher or MBRL system to bolster its defences.

THE PINAKA SYSTEM

The Pinaka system, considered on par with America’s HIMARS system, has been India’s first major defence export as conflict-hit Armenia had placed the first order. Now France has also shown interest in the advanced rocket system to boost its army’s artillery division. In fact, talks are already at a fairly advanced stage, sources familiar with the matter said, adding that France has decided to test the system in the coming weeks.

Named after Lord Shiva’s divine bow, the Pinaka rocket system was a replacement for the Russian Grad BM-21 rocket launcher for the Indian Army. It was first deployed during the 1999 Kargil War. The Pinaka system had played a pivotal role in destroying Pakistani positions at strategic heights during the war.

The Pinaka rocket system is developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment or ARDE, which comes under the DRDO. The system comprises of a free-flight artillery rocket having a maximum range of 38 km with different types of warheads and fuzes. It comes with a multi-tube launcher vehicle, a replenishment-cum-loader vehicle, a replenishment vehicle, and a command post vehicle.

The multi-barrel rocket system has two pods containing 6 rockets each, capable of firing all 12 rockets in salvo mode within 44 seconds, neutralizing a target area of 700 x 500 meters. For the Indian Army’s specific requirement of a free flight rocket with enhanced range, ARDE has successfully developed the Pinaka Mk-II rocket with a 60-km range. The existing launch vehicle and ground systems of Pinaka MBRS is used for the Mk-II as well, with minor modifications for firing this new rocket.

A battery can fire 72 rockets. Each launcher can now be operated independently and rockets can be fired individually or simultaneously in different directions. The launcher may be operated in manual, remote, stand alone, and autonomous modes. Its shoot-and-scoot capabilities also enable it to escape counter battery fire.

The current version of the Pinaka system is a guided one, which means that the rockets have seekers, which are used for precision strikes. Because of it becoming a guided system, it has now been able to increase its range to nearly double of what the first version was. The DRDO is now working on a guided Pinaka system which is capable of ranges greater than 120 km, 150 km, and 200 km to counter China’s long-range guided rocket systems.

GLOBAL INTEREST

The system is already in service with the Indian Army and deployed both at the LoC with Pakistan and LAC with China. It was also reportedly delivered to Armenia via Iran in 2023 to bolster its defence against Azerbaijan.

France’s move to consider buying the Pinaka system is part of the effort to boost defence and strategic ties between the two nations. France is India’s second biggest defence supplier after Russia. The recent T AC 295 transport aircraft deal and the Rafael deal are testament to Paris and New Delhi’s steadfast defence ties.
 

Vadodara:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez in Gujarat’s Vadodara.

A total of 56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by the aircraft manufacturing company Airbus from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be built at the facility, which is the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft. The Ministry of Defence in 2021 signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain for the supply of 56 aircraft.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara

A total of 56 aircraft are there… pic.twitter.com/4jc2YTx2EC

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi said the aircraft manufactured at the Vadodara facility will also be exported in the future.

“The Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will strengthen the India-Spain relations and the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission,” PM Modi, who laid the foundation stone of the FAL plant of C-295 aircraft in Vadodara in October 2022, said.

He also paid tribute to former Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, who is said to be the brains behind the project. Mr Tata died at the age of 86 earlier this month.

Speaking at the inauguration of the C-295 Aircraft facility in Vadodara. It reinforces India’s position as a trusted partner in global aerospace manufacturing.https://t.co/VvuC5izfPM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 28, 2024

At the event, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said the project was originally conceived by Ratan Tata in 2012.

“I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention that this project was originally conceived more than a decade ago, in 2012, by the then Tata Sons Chairman, Ratan Tata Ji, who led the whole concept to build a relationship with Airbus and created this partnership with Airbus and laid the foundation stone for this opportunity. So, I would like to remember him for his visionary leadership in this very path-breaking initiative,” he said.

Why C-295 Aircraft Is A Game-Changer

The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 planes. The C-295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

The aircraft, called “robust and reliable”, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions.

It can routinely operate day as well as night combat missions from desert to maritime environments.

A game changer for #IAF and #AatmanirbhartainDefence–
Tata & @AirbusDefence to manufacture C-295MW transport aircraft in India.
What makes the aircraft special? Check out here@rajnathsingh@IAF_MCC@drajaykumar_ias@DefProdnIndia@TataCompanies#IAFTransportAircraftpic.twitter.com/W30131dcVc

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 29, 2022

The C-295 has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.

All 56 aircraft under the agreement will also be fitted with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite manufactured by Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.