Indian Air Force C-295MW Aircraft: India’s ministry of defence Friday signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space, Spain for acquisition of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, said the government. The MoD has also signed an offset contract with Airbus Defence and Space through which Airbus will discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian defence and aerospace companies.
Earlier this month, Indians apex defence procurement body, the cabinet committee on security (CCS) had cleared the deal to procure 56 transport aircraft from the European defence and aerospace giant.
While 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within four years of signing of the contract, remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in the country by a consortium led by India’s TATA Group within ten years of signing of the contract.
This is the first such project in which military aircraft will be manufactured in the country by a private company. According to people familiar with the matter, all 56 aircraft will have an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS).
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The defence ministry said that induction of C-295MW will be a significant step towards modernisation of the transport fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The government said Airbus C-295MW transport aircraft has contemporary technology and it will replace the legacy Avro aircraft of Indian Air Force.
More importantly, under the contract, Airbus will directly purchase eligible products & services from Indian Offset Partners which will provide opportunity for domestic private sector to enter into technology intensive aviation industry.
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Airbus C-295 contract signed in New Delhi.
Airbus C-295MW aircraft
Airbus C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro transport aircraft of IAF.
The aircraft is capable of operating from semi-prepared strips and has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.
The aircraft will give a major boost to tactical airlift capability of IAF, especially in the Northern and North-Eastern sector and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
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Big boost to Make in India in Defence
The government said this project would provide a major boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (a self-reliant India in defence) of the Government that offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry.
Out of 56, forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium. All the deliveries will be completed within ten years of signing of the contract.
All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
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Airbus C-295.
India aims for export of C-295 MW aircraft
The MoD said after completion of the delivery, the subsequent aircraft manufactured in India can be exported to countries which are cleared by the Government of India.
The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft.
The program will also involve development of specialised infrastructure in the form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway.
The MoD said this programme was a unique initiative of the Government to strengthen the indigenous capabilities and boost ‘Make in India’.
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