PM Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated a new facility in Vadodara on Monday that will produce C295 military transport aircraft.
PM Modi, Spanish President Sanchez Inaugurated C295 Aircraft Plant
PM Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated a new facility in Vadodara on Monday that will produce C295 military transport aircraft.The first private sector facility to build military aircraft in India will get a boost as additional orders are being processed that will bring more work to the Indian defence ecosystem.
Sources said that the facility will produce a total of 52 aircraft – 40 for the IAF and 12 for the Navy and Coast Guard. The additional order for 15 aircraft for the Navy and Coast Guard – 3 will be bought off the shelf and rest produced in India – has been okayed by the defence ministry and is being processed. Air Force already has an order for 56 of the military aircraft that was signed in September 2021 for ₹2,1935 crore. Out of these, 40 are to be produced at the Vadodara facility.
Sources said work on production will start this year and first aircraft from the facility will be delivered by 2026. All Air Force aircraft will be delivered by August 2031, as per current plans.
Military Applications
Tactical Transport: Airlifting troops, equipment, and supplies to remote or hostile areas.
Cargo Transport: Carrying heavy payloads, including vehicles, helicopters, and other oversized cargo.
Medical Evacuation: Providing critical care and transportation for wounded personnel.
Surveillance: Conducting reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions.
Humanitarian Aid: Delivering relief supplies and personnel during natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
Key Features
1. Range and Endurance: 5,000 km range and 11 hours of endurance.
2. Payload Capacity: Up to 9,250 kg .
3. Short Takeoff and Landing : Enabling operations from short, unpaved runways.
4. Advanced Avionics: State-of-the-art cockpit and navigation systems.
5. Multi-Mission Capability: Easily configurable for various roles.
Global Adoption
The C-295 has been adopted by over 20 countries, which include:
1. Spain: The Spanish Air Force operates 13 C-295s for transport and surveillance.
2. Poland: The Polish Air Force uses 16 C-295s for tactical transport and medical evacuation.3. Brazil: The Brazilian Air Force operates 12 C-295s for transport and border patrol.
4. Egypt: The Egyptian Air Force uses C-295s for military transport and humanitarian missions.
Germany & Spain Eye P75(I) Submarine Project
India’s decision to host leaders of Germany and Spain on succeeding days is a part of New Delhi’s broad strategy for the continent that is focused on niche defence industry collaboration, FDI, mobility of skilled Indians, technology transfer and boosting manufacturing sector in the country amid moves by Europe to diversify from China. With the aim to create partnerships for stabilizing the Indo-Pacific region both Germany and Spain are lobbying to clinch India’s P75(I) submarine project (six advanced submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems).
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez visits were aimed at impressing New Delhi about the quality and lethalness of respective submarines. India is looking to boost its submarine fleet to create deterrence amid China’s long-term strategic outreach for the Indo-Pacific region. From Europe France, Germany and Spain are keen to be India’s preferred partners in this endeavour.
While the Indian Navy operates four Shishumar class submarines, which are based on the Type 209 submarines designed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) of Germany, India purchased six Scorpene-class submarines from France. In 2023 the Indian government approved the purchase of three more Scorpene-class submarines.
