Big Boost To Indian Air Force! India Inducts Its First Airbus C-295 Transport Aircraft

In a big boost to logistical capabilities, the Indian Air Force formally inducted India's first Airbus C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft on Monday. The induction ceremony took place at the Hindan Air Force Station in Ghaziabad in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari along with senior officials of the IAF as well as of Airbus attended the induction ceremony. The Airbus Defence and Space recently handed over to the Indian Air Force the first of the 56 C295 transport aircraft kick-starting the delivery of the planes.

Under a Rs 21,935-crore project that was sealed two year's back to modernise India's air assets, India will receive 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from Airbus final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

The planes will be made in the manufacturing facility for 295 in Vadodara, Gujarat, foundation stone for which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October last year. It will be the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is procuring the C295 aircraft to replace its fleet of aging Avro-748 planes that entered the service over six decades back. 

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducts C- 295 MW transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force at Hindon Airbase in UP's Ghaziabad pic.twitter.com/Ks05Q7faNr — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2023

Airbus C-295

The global C295 programme comprises a total of 280 orders from 39 operators, making it an unmatched aircraft in its weight and mission class, the plane maker said. The C295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

The aircraft can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation. The aircraft is capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

IAF's Airbus C-295 Program

After the mega deal was finalised last year, Airbus said the C295 programme will see the company bring its complete bouquet of world-class aircraft manufacturing and servicing to India in collaboration with its industrial partners. In May, the first C295 aircraft built for India successfully completed its maiden flight in Seville.

The second one is in the final assembly at the Seville facility and is scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in May next year. After the mega deal was finalised, Airbus said the C295 programme will see the company bring its complete bouquet of world-class aircraft manufacturing and servicing to India in collaboration with its industrial partners.

Six pilots from the IAF and 20 technicians have already undergone extensive training at the Seville facility. The final assembly line for the C295 aircraft in Vadodara is set to be operational in November next year. Officials said the IAF will be the world's largest operator of the C295.