Revealed: First Glimpse of India’s C-295 Aircraft That Airbus And TATA Will Manufacture
India’s first C-295 aircraft has rolled out of the Airbus defence
production facility in the city of Seville, located in southern
Spain.
New Delhi: Images and videos of the military aircraft emerging from the Airbus
Defence and Space’s San Pablo site, which is home to the military transport
activities and the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the four-engine
turboprop-powered A400M airlifter and twin-turboprop C295, have now gone viral
on social media.
The plane is the first of the 16 medium–lift tactical transport airport
aircraft which will be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in flyaway
condition.
It was in September 2021 that the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the
procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence following
which the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the acquisition of the
aircraft with associated equipment.
The induction of the aircraft that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of
IAF has been seen as another step towards the modernisation of the country’s
air force.
A year later, Airbus and TATA Advanced Systems entered a collaboration for the
manufacturing and assembly of the C-295 aircraft for the IAF.
Under the agreement, TATA Advanced Systems was selected as the Indian
Production Agency (IPA) by Airbus. It will not only produce 40 fly-away C-295
aircraft from its facilities but will also subsequently provide MRO support
and service for the total 56 aircraft that will be procured by IAF.
In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the
transport aircraft manufacturing project in Gujarat’s Vadodara, giving a major
boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and domestic aviation manufacturing.
The Rs 21,935 crore project, the first of its kind in which a military
aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company, involves the full
development of a complete industrial ecosystem – from the manufacture to
assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete
lifecycle of the aircraft.
The first 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be received between September
2023 and August 2025 while the first ‘Made in India’ aircraft is expected from
September 2026.
C-295MW, a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary
technology, is expected to strengthen the logistic capabilities of the 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 can be used for civilian purposes as well.
The Defence Ministry has stated that the project offers a unique opportunity
for the Indian private sector to enter into the technology-intensive and
highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation
manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and an expected increase
in exports.
Manufacturing of over 13,400 detail parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the
seven major component assemblies will be undertaken in India, along with
tools, jigs and testers. Also, 96% of the total man-hour work per aircraft
that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility in Spain will be undertaken
in India by the TATA Consortium.
Various systems such as engines, landing gear, avionics, EW suite etc, will be
provided by Airbus Defence & Space and integrated into the aircraft by the
TATA Consortium.
All 56 aircraft will also be fitted with the indigenous electronic warfare
suite of Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
After the completion of the delivery of 56 aircraft to IAF, Airbus will be
allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators and
export to countries which are cleared by the Indian government.
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