C-295 transport aircraft for Indian Air Force to be manufactured by Tata-Airbus in Gujarat | India News
NEW DELHI: A consortium led by Tata group and Airbus will manufacture 40 C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat, the Centre announced on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the project in Vadodara on October 30.
“For the first time, the Airbus C-295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe,” said defence secretary Ajay Kumar.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia and Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel will attend the foundation laying function.
56 aircraft
In September last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain. “As part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India by the Indian Aircraft Contractor, TATA Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL,” said Kumar.
“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well,” he added.
According to an official statement, the first 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first Made in India aircraft is expected in September 2026.
Defence ministry officials said 96% of the work that Airbus does in its facility in Spain would be done in the Indian facility. “The aircraft will have one of the highest indigenous content. The aircraft built in India would be supplied from 2026 to 2031,” said officials.
IAF to become largest operator
The Indian Air Force will ultimately become the largest operator of this C-295 transport aircraft, said IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh. The first IAF squadron of C-295 transport aircraft will be based in Vadodara.
The C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro-748 aircraft of IAF.
It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.
The aircraft is expected to strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF.
(With inputs from agencies)
“For the first time, the Airbus C-295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe,” said defence secretary Ajay Kumar.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia and Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel will attend the foundation laying function.
56 aircraft
In September last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain. “As part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India by the Indian Aircraft Contractor, TATA Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL,” said Kumar.
“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well,” he added.
According to an official statement, the first 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first Made in India aircraft is expected in September 2026.
Defence ministry officials said 96% of the work that Airbus does in its facility in Spain would be done in the Indian facility. “The aircraft will have one of the highest indigenous content. The aircraft built in India would be supplied from 2026 to 2031,” said officials.
IAF to become largest operator
The Indian Air Force will ultimately become the largest operator of this C-295 transport aircraft, said IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh. The first IAF squadron of C-295 transport aircraft will be based in Vadodara.
The C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro-748 aircraft of IAF.
It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.
The aircraft is expected to strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF.
(With inputs from agencies)
