All about C295 aircraft, whose manufacturing plant was inaugurated by PM Modi

All about C295 aircraft, whose manufacturing plant was inaugurated by PM Modi

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Context:

• On October 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a plant in Vadodara, where Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) will manufacture the C-295 aircrafts for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The facility will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.
• The C-295 project underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the Make in India initiative.

Procurement Details:

• In September 2021, India signed a deal worth ₹21,935 crore with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C-295 aircrafts, aiming to replace the IAF’s aging Avro-748 planes, which have been in service since the 1960s.
• The first 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India by TASL.
• The first domestically produced aircraft is expected to roll out in September 2026, with all 39 to be delivered by August 2031.
• After the completion of the delivery, Airbus Defence and Space 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.
• Fly-away condition: A term used in aircraft purchase agreements, to refer to an aircraft that is delivered in new condition and in compliance with the purchase agreement.

About C-295 aircraft:

• The C-295 aircraft was originally produced by the Spanish manufacturer Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA, which is now part of Airbus. The aircraft is currently manufactured at Airbus’s plant in Spain.
• The C-295MW is a versatile transport aircraft with a capacity of 5 to 10 tonnes and a maximum speed of 480 km/h.
• The C-295 has demonstrated its versatility by operating in various terrains globally, including Brazilian jungles and Colombian mountains, deserts of Algeria and Jordan and cold climates of Poland and Finland.

Key features:

• A rear ramp door for quick troop and cargo deployment.
• Capability for short take-off and landing from semi-prepared surfaces.
• Cabin dimensions of 12.7 meters, accommodating up to 71 seats.
• The aircraft will be fitted with an indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Operational roles:

• Tactical transport of troops and supplies to forward operating airfields.
• Short take-off and landing operations from unprepared airstrips.
• Casualty and medical evacuation.
• Special missions and disaster response.
• Maritime patrol duties.