Know All About India's First C-295 Tactical Airlift Plane

Know All About India's First C-295 Tactical Airlift Plane

India is all set to welcome its first-ever spanking new C-295 Tactical Airlift Plane today. The India Air Force Chief, Chief Air, Chief Marshal Sri VR Chaudhry is currently present in Spain to receive this Tactical Airlift Plane, C-295.

About the Deal of the C-295 Tactical Airliuft Plane:

India and Airbus agreed to execute a contract in September 2021 for the supply of 56 C-295 military transport planes. According to the deal, 40 aircraft would be produced at the facility established by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in collaboration with Airbus in Vadodara. 16 aircraft will be delivered by Airbus from its facility in Spain in flyaway condition.

The Connection Between the 'Make in India' and C-295:

The first C295 will be handed to India, starting a significant "Make in India" initiative totaling ₹21,935 crore to provide the IAF with 56 of the aforementioned aircraft.

Details of the C-295 Tactical Airlift Plane:

The C-295, with a payload of 5 to 10 tonnes, is utilized for logistical missions to places that current bigger aircraft cannot reach as well as for tactical transport of up to 71 infantry or 50 paratroopers. Additionally, it has a track record of operating on short or inadequate airstrips. The C-295 Tactical Airlift Plane will be started produced in India by the year 2026.

The IAF's tactical airlift capacity will be enhanced with the acquisition of the C-295s, which will gradually replace the outdated Avro-748 fleet between 2023 and 2031, particularly in areas like the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and the border with China.

In addition to having rear ramp doors for quick reaction and para-dropping of personnel and cargo, the C-295s will be outfitted with indigenous electronic warfare capabilities. For the first time ever, a military aircraft will be produced in India by the private sector, ending Hindustan Aeronautics' longstanding monopoly in the defence PSU sector.

After the initial production of 40 C-295s, the Tata-Airbus factory is also likely to make more similar aircraft in the future for the armed forces, and commercial operators, as well as exports.