IAF takes delivery of first C295: How this deal kicks off ‘Make in India’ scheme for military aircraft

Source– The post is based on the article “IAF takes delivery of first C295: How this deal kicks off ‘Make in India’ scheme for military aircraft” published in “The Indian Express” on 16th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Security

Relevance- Issues related to armed forces

News– The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday (September 13) received the first of the 56 C295 aircraft at the Airbus production site in Seville, Spain. It will replace its ageing Avro-748 fleet.

What is the C295 aircraft?

The C295 is a versatile tactical transport aircraft capable of performing a wide range of missions.

These missions include transporting troops and cargo, conducting maritime patrols, providing airborne warning, surveillance, and reconnaissance, facilitating medical evacuations, serving as a VIP transport, and assisting in airborne firefighting.

The aircraft has the capacity to carry payloads weighing up to nine tonnes. It can accommodate up to 71 personnel while maintaining a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots. It is equipped for air-to-air refuelling.

It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines. It can cruise at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet and can take off and land quickly on unpaved, soft, and sandy/grassy airstrips.

What is the timing for C295 arrival?

In September 2021, India formally confirmed the procurement of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft at a total cost of Rs 21,935 crore.

The initial 16 C295s will be assembled in Seville. The first aircraft is slated for delivery in May 2024, followed by the next 14 until August 2025.

The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited located in Vadodara, Gujarat.

What is the significance of procurement of these aircrafts?

Firstly, it will serve as a replacement for the ageing Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which was originally acquired back in the 1960s.

This replacement will substantially enhance the IAF’s capabilities in air transport. It will allow for the efficient transportation of troops and materials to various regions within the country.

This acquisition marks the initiation of India’s ‘Make in India’ Aerospace program within the private sector. It involves the domestic manufacturing of these aircraft.

Until now, military aircraft production in India has been a monopoly of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

It will stimulate India’s aerospace sector. It will generate approximately 15,000 highly skilled jobs and an additional 10,000 indirect employment opportunities over the course of the next decade.

What is the level of indigenous of the 40 C295?

Except for major components such as the engine and avionics, Airbus will facilitate the transfer of manufacturing technology to Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for most other parts.

This approach is expected to enable the production of 95 percent of the aircraft within India in the coming years.

The aircraft will feature domestically developed radar warning receivers and missile approach warning systems created by Bharat Electronics Limited.

The countermeasure dispensing system has been supplied by Bharat Dynamics Limited. The airframe of the medium transport aircraft comprises over 14,000 parts and components. 3,500 parts are manufactured by Tata each year.

It is anticipated that the 32nd aircraft, set for delivery in the first quarter of 2029, will be a fully Indian-manufactured C295.

What is the current status of C295 manufacturing in India?

The 40 C295 aircraft are intended for production in India at the Vadodara facility.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has established a factory in Hyderabad, where the manufacturing of major airframe components will commence this year.

Once the major sections of the aircraft are assembled at the Hyderabad facility, they will be transported to the Vadodara facility next year. There, they will be equipped with engines, avionics, and other crucial components.

A training facility has been established in Agra, which is expected to become operational in late next year.