The C295 was originally produced by a Spanish aircraft manufacturer named Construcciones Aeronauticas SA.
This company is now part of Airbus and the aircraft’s manufacturing takes place at Airbus’s plant in Spain.
In September 2021, India signed a Rs 21,935 crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C295 aircraft to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 planes.
Under the agreement:
Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain,
The 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the IAF between September 2023 and August 2025.
The subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
The first Made-in-India aircraft will be rolled out of the manufacturing facility in September 2026.
About
The C295MW is a transport aircraft with 5 to 10-tonne capacity and a maximum speed of 480 kmph.
It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.
The company claims this aircraft has the longest unobstructed cabin in its class which can accommodate 71 seats.
It also claims that C295 can carry more cargo than its competitors with direct off-loading through the rear ramp.
Role
As a tactical transport aircraft, the C295 can carry troops and logistical supplies from main airfields to forward operating airfields of the country.
It can also operate on short unprepared airstrips as it is capable of Short Take-off and Landing (STOL).
The aircraft can additionally be used for casualty or medical evacuation, performing special missions, disaster response and maritime patrol duties.
Significance
A competent platform
Widely used in 12 countries, C 295 is a competent and proven platform.
It operates in the Brazilian jungles and Columbian mountains in South America, the deserts of Algeria and Jordan in the middle east and the cold climates of Poland and Finland in Europe.
It is already certified and operational in numerous roles like Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), maritime patrol, aerial refuel, search and rescue (SAR), and even as a water bomber.
Experts believe this fleet would become the backbone of the IAF’s entire tactical transport operations in near future.
Strengthening of defence supply chain
The project will involve the creation of production infrastructure with transfer of technology from Airbus.
The resulting manufacturing supply chain will spread from Tata to a host of MSMEs.
As per the data released, about 125 MSMEs across the country will be involved in the supply chain.
Significant civilian potential
The aircraft has a unique capability to connect destinations which are tough to service or reachable.
In this context, it can be used for both passenger and load-carrying tasks.
Also, India is reaching the top three countries in the world in terms of air traffic. In coming future, India will need more than 2,000 passenger and cargo aircraft.
Bolster Make-in-India Programme
The indigenous content in the plane will be the highest ever in India.
96 per cent of the work that Airbus does in Spain to produce the plane will be done at the manufacturing unit in Vadodara.
An essential aspect of the project is the integration of a totally indigenous electronic warfare suite from Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
Boost to defence exports
After the completion of the delivery of 56 aircraft to the IAF, manufacturer will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators and export to countries which are cleared by the Government of India.
Ultimately, this Tata-Airbus project will push forward India’s motto of ‘Make in India, Make for Globe’.
Dear Student,
You have still not entered your mailing address. Please enter the address where all the study materials will be sent to you. (If applicable).
