The Air Force is expected to take delivery of its first made-in-India C295 transport aircraft in Vadodara on September 22-23, a historic event as it is the first military aircraft produced by the Indian private sector, officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The aircraft, which is currently undergoing flight tests, is expected to join one of the Indian Air Force’s two C295 squadrons based in Agra and Vadodara, the officials said, requesting anonymity.
In September 2021, the Ministry of Defense signed an agreement $Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus for procurement of 56 aircraft to enhance self-reliance in defence. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus are jointly implementing the programme. The European aircraft manufacturer has delivered 16 aircraft to the Israeli Air Force in flying condition; The rest is assembled in India.
Last week, Chief of Defense Staff General NS Raja Subramani visited the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara where the C295 aircraft are being assembled to review the progress of the programme. It is on track and the remaining 39 aircraft will be delivered by August 2031.
The Indian Air Force is expected to start raising its third C295 squadron next year, officials said.
The aircraft will enhance the Air Force’s logistical capabilities to meet mission requirements in forward areas, including those near the disputed border with China, and replace its aging fleet of Avro transport aircraft that entered service in the early 1960s.
The IAF will be the world’s largest operator of the C295. Under India’s C295 programme, the country manufactures more than 13,000 spare parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all major component assemblies. But equipment such as engines, landing gear and avionics are provided by Airbus and integrated into the aircraft. The tactical airlift is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turbofan engines.
The aircraft can carry up to nine tons of payload, 71 personnel or 45 paratroopers and has a maximum speed of 480 kilometers per hour. It can operate from short or unprepared airstrips and has a rear ramp for parachuting troops and cargo. Airbus is also setting up a production line for H125 helicopters in partnership with TASL at Vimagal in Karnataka. This will be the fourth facility of its kind in the world and India’s first final helicopter assembly line in the private sector. These helicopters are currently produced only in France, the United States and Brazil.
