C295 tactical transport aircraft, to be built by Tata-Airbus in India
- PM recently laid the foundation stone of a C295 aircraft manufacturing plant of the Tata-Airbus consortium to manufacture the transport aircraft for the IAF.
- First project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company & outside of Europe.
Airbus C295 - Technical Specifications
- A medium tactical transport aircraft
- Capacity - 5 to 10 tonnes
- Maximum speed - 480 kmp
- A rear ramp door for para-dropping of troops and cargo.
- Can take off from and land on short runways and semi-prepared surfaces.
- Can carry more cargo with direct off-loading through the rear ramp.
IAF's requirements
- September 2021 - India signed a deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C295 aircraft
- Will replace the ageing Avro-748 planes, of early 1960s.
- Airbus will deliver 16 aircrafts in 'fly-away' condition within 4 years.
- 40 aircrafts will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in India.
- First Made-in-India aircraft will be rolled out in 2026.
- Remaining 39 will have to be produced by August 2031.
- After the completion of project, Airbus Defence and Space will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators.
- Export to countries cleared by the GoI.
Indian component
- All 56 aircrafts will be fitted with an indigenous electronic warfare suite.
- Developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
- Indigenous content in the aircraft will be the highest ever in India.
- 96% wor will be done at the manufacturing unit in vadodara.
Operational role
- As a tactical transport aircraft - can carry troops and logistics supplies from main airfields to forward operating airfields.
- Capable of Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) on unprepared airstrips.
- Can operate from just 2,200 feet long airstrips.
- Can carry out tactical missions at low speeds of 110 knots.
- Can be used for casualty or medical evacuation, disaster response, special missions, and maritime patrol duties.
Prelims Takeaway
- C295 aircraft