The C295 aircraft is set to enhance India’s military capabilities with its advanced features and versatility making it a critical asset for various missions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will inaugurate a new facility in Vadodara on Monday, dedicated to the production of C295 military transport aircraft. This facility marks a significant milestone as it is the first private sector establishment in India focussed on manufacturing military aircraft. It is poised to enhance the Indian defence ecosystem, with additional orders forthcoming. The facility is set to produce a total of 52 aircraft—40 for the Air Force and 12 for the Navy and Coast Guard. Recently approved by the defence ministry, an additional order for 15 aircraft for the Navy and Coast Guard includes three to be purchased off the shelf, with the remainder manufactured in India.
The Air Force has an existing order for 56 C295 aircraft, signed in September 2021 for Rs21,935 crore. Of these, 40 will be produced at the Vadodara facility. Production is expected to commence this year, with the first aircraft slated for delivery by 2026 and all Air Force aircraft planned for delivery by August 2031. The project is spearheaded by Tata Advanced Systems in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space SA, with a total of 37 companies identified by Airbus as sub-suppliers, a significant portion of which will manufacture components in India.
Features and capabilities of Airbus’ New Generation C295:
1. Versatile tactical transport: Designed for various missions, including troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, surveillance, reconnaissance, signals intelligence, close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport and firefighting.
2. Payload and capacity: Carries up to 9 tonnes or 71 troops with a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots and equipped for air-to-air refuelling of aircraft and helicopters.
3. Design features: Retractable landing gear, a 12.69-metre-long pressurised cabin, operates at altitudes up to 30,000 ft with excellent low-level flight characteristics and exceptional short take-off and landing (STOL) performance on unpaved and soft surfaces.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/india/15-reasons-why-the-c295-aircraft-will-transform-indias-tactical-airlift-operations-13829680.html.
