Indian Air Force receives delivery of its first C-295 aircraft from Airbus in Spain

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• Sep 13, 2023 | Poonam Nath

The plane is the first of 56 similar planes ordered by the Indian Air Force as part of a Rs21.935 billion effort to revamp...

Digital Desk:  The Indian Air Force (IAF) received its first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space on Wednesday, with Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari attending the handover ceremony in Seville, Spain, according to officials familiar with the situation.

The plane is the first of 56 such planes ordered by the Indian Air Force as part of a Rs. 21,935-crore effort to overhaul its transport fleet. The European aircraft manufacturer would supply 16 aircraft in flyaway condition, with the remainder being constructed in India at a Tata factory in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The first aircraft is likely to fly to India soon, followed by a ceremonial induction ceremony at the Hindon airfield later this month, according to officials.

The first C-295 is being delivered two years after the military ministry inked a contract with Airbus for 56 planes to increase self-reliance in the defence manufacturing industry. The programme is being carried out in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus.

The IAF's second C-295 is in the last stages of assembly at Airbus' Seville facility and will be delivered in May 2024, according to officials.

The final 16 flyaway aircraft will be delivered to the IAF by August 2025, with the first 'Made in India' C-295 leaving the Vadodara facility in September 2026 and the remaining 39 by August 2031.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the groundwork for the Vadodara manufacturing complex in October 2022. The C-295 will be the first military aircraft constructed in India by a private consortium, clearing the door for the Indian Air Force to become the world's largest C-295 operator.

The plane was purchased to replace the IAF's fleet of outdated Avro-748 planes, which entered service in the early 1960s.

More than 13,000 parts, 4,600 subassemblies, and all key component assemblies will be manufactured in India as part of the C-295 India project. 

To be sure, Airbus will deliver and integrate components such as engines, landing gear, and avionics. Two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines power the tactical airlifter.

The C-295 contract includes five years of performance-based logistics support, ten years of parts supply across ten operating bases, ground support and test equipment, and training, according to officials.

The C-295 has a maximum speed of 480kmph and can transport up to 9 tonnes of payload, 71 troops, or 45 paratroopers. It can also fly from short or unprepared airstrips and features a rear ramp for parachuting personnel and cargo.