Airbus C-295

NEWS: IAF’s C-295 Manufacturing Ecosystem Taking Shape in India

• In about 45 days from now, in September, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive the first C-295 transport aircraft and ahead of it, six pilots have been trained in Seville by Airbus and training of a 20-member maintenance crew is currently under way.
• 16 aircraft would come in fly away condition, manufactured at the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain, and 40 would be manufactured in India by Airbus jointly with Tata; around 3,500 parts will be industrialised in India every year, according to a top Airbus official.
• Work is under way for setting up the Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Vadodara in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
  • The first aircraft manufactured in India would be delivered in September 2026.
  • Under a ₹22,000-crore deal with the Indian Air Force, 56 C-295MW transport aircraft will be procured to replace the Avro aircraft. 
  • This is the first time a private sector company would be manufacturing a full aircraft in India.

Airbus C-295

• The C-295 is a modern transport aircraft with a capacity of 9 tonnes and can carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. 
• It has a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, enabling multi-role operations in all weather conditions.
• It will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 planes, which are British-origin twin-engine turboprops with a 6-tonne freight capacity.

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the significance of Airbus C-295 transport aircraft deal between India & Airbus. (150 words)

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