In a significant development for India’s defense and aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has been awarded a long-term maintenance contract to oversee the airfield infrastructure at 54 Indian Air Force (IAF) bases across the country. The three-year contract, announced on April 1, 2025, marks another milestone in TASL’s growing contribution to India’s national defense capabilities and aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative to foster self-reliance in critical sectors.
The contract encompasses the maintenance of essential airfield systems, including Navigational Aids, Air Traffic Management Systems, Airfield Lighting, Runway Visual Range, and other key infrastructure components. These systems are vital for ensuring seamless operations and enhancing aviation safety at IAF airfields, which serve as the backbone of India’s air defense network. TASL shared the news via a post on X, stating, “A proud moment as we continue to strengthen India’s air operations infrastructure and support national defence!”
This achievement comes at a time when the IAF is intensifying efforts to modernize and indigenize its maintenance operations. According to a 2021 overview from the Indian Air Force’s Maintenance Command, the IAF operates a diverse inventory of aircraft, ranging from vintage to state-of-the-art technology, making maintenance a complex and critical task. The IAF has been focusing on indigenization to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, a goal that TASL’s involvement directly supports. The Maintenance Command’s Base Repair Depots (BRDs) have historically driven indigenization efforts, developing parts and certifying them for use, a process that TASL will now complement with its expertise in aerospace and defence technology.
TASL, a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, has emerged as a key player in India’s aerospace and defense industry. The company has been involved in several high-profile projects, including the production of MRSAM launchers and support vehicles for the IAF, as well as the control systems for India’s Arihant-class submarines, as noted in a recent Wikipedia entry on TASL. Additionally, TASL has expanded its global footprint, with plans to establish a plant in Casablanca following a 2024 armored vehicle contract with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
The airfield maintenance contract follows another landmark achievement for TASL: the inauguration of the Airbus C295 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, Gujarat, on October 28, 2024. In partnership with Airbus, TASL is set to manufacture 40 C295 aircraft for the IAF, with 16 already delivered in fly-away condition from Airbus’ Seville facility in Spain. The Vadodara FAL, a pioneering “Make in India” project, underscores TASL’s capability to deliver end-to-end solutions in the aerospace sector, from design to full platform assembly.
