Airbus Defence and Space handed over the first of 56 C-295 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force on Wednesday, kicking off the delivery of the planes under a Rs 21,935-crore project that was signed two years ago as part of an overall goal to revamp India’s air assets.
Indian Air Force Receives First C-295 MW Transport Aircraft
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the Chief of Air Staff, received the aircraft at the aerospace major’s production site in the southern Spanish city of Seville.
Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025, and the remaining 40 aircraft will be produced and assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) as part of the two firms’ industrial cooperation.
C-295 Manufacturing Plant In India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the groundwork for a 295-plane manufacturing plant in Vadodara in October of last year. It will be India’s first military aircraft produced by a private partnership.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is buying C-295 planes to replace its inventory of old Avro-748 planes that have been in service for over six decades. According to the plane maker, the global C-295 programme includes 280 orders from 39 operators, making it an unrivalled aircraft in its weight and mission class.
The C295 is a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and logistical operations to regions inaccessible to existing heavier aircraft. The aircraft may drop paratroops and cargo as well as provide casualty or medical evacuation.
Significance of C-295 Transport Aircraft
The aircraft may carry out unique missions such as disaster relief and marine patrol. Following completing the mammoth agreement last year, Airbus stated that the C-295 programme will see the business bring its whole portfolio of world-class aircraft manufacture and servicing to India in partnership with its industrial partners.
In May, the first C-295 aircraft produced for India flew for the first time in Seville. The second is in the final stages of assembly at the Seville factory and will be handed to the IAF in May of next year. Following the completion of the mega-deal, Airbus stated that the C-295 programme would see the business introduce its whole portfolio of world-class aircraft manufacture and servicing to India in partnership with its industrial partners.
Six IAF pilots and 20 technicians have already received rigorous training at the Seville site. The C-295 aeroplane final assembly line in Vadodara is scheduled to open in November of next year. According to officials, the IAF will be the world’s largest C-295 operator.
A Closer Look at C-295
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