Prime Minister lays foundation stone of C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility – country’s first in private sector – in Vadodara, Gujarat

Source: The post is based on the article “Prime Minister lays foundation stone of C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility – country’s first in private sector – in Vadodara, Gujarat” published in PIB on 30th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone of a C295 aircraft manufacturing plant in Vadodara, Gujarat, of the Tata-Airbus consortium that will manufacture the transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force(IAF). 

It is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. It is also the first time that the C295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe.

What is a C295 aircraft?

C295 is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment. It is manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain.

Equipped with: Two Pratt & Whitney engines.

Purpose: C295 can carry troops and logistical supplies from main airfields to forward operating airfields of the country. 

– It can also operate on short unprepared airstrips as it is capable of Short Take-off and Landing (STOL).

– It can additionally be used for casualty or medical evacuation, performing special missions, disaster response and maritime patrol duties

India has concluded a deal with Airbus for C295 medium transport aircraft(MTA). As part of the deal, the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from Spain within four years and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

Features of C295 aircraft: The C295MW is a transport aircraft with a 5 to 10-tonne capacity and a maximum speed of 480 kmph. 

– It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off and landing from semi-prepared surfaces are some other features.

– The company claims this aircraft has the longest unobstructed cabin in its class which can accommodate 71 seats. 

– All aircraft will be fitted with an indigenous electronic warfare suite to be developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.