NB Explains | Airbus unveils first C-295 transport aircraft in colours of Indian Air Force

Getafe (Spain), April 19: In a significant development, the first of 56 C-295 military transport aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) was unveiled by Airbus Defense and Space, in Getafe, Spain.

 

According to the reports, delivery of the first aircraft to the IAF fleet is scheduled for the second half of 2023 most likely in September. These C-295 aircraft will replace the HAL-748, an Indian license-produced version of the UK-designed Avro 748.

 

The first 16 C295s in the Indian order will be manufactured by Airbus in Spain and delivered by 2025. They will feature an electronic warfare avionics suite developed in India.

 

On September 08, 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain. Later in the same year, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with them for acquisition of the aircraft with associated equipment. This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well.

 

 

The induction of C-295 aircrafts will be a significant step towards the modernisation of the transport fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF). The order is also expected to go beyond 56, with more orders expected from the coast guard & navy in the next few years. In addition, the aircraft is also likely to be exported in future to overseas customers.

 

 

As per the TATA-Airbus deal, 16 of the 56 C295 aircrafts will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract which means first 16 C-295 will be delivered between September 2023-2025 and IAF will start inducting these aircrafts from next year.

 

The remaining 40 aircrafts will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium & delivered within 10 years of signing of the contract i.e., by September 2031.

 

During the Defense Expo 2022, India has approved Quality Management System (QMS) for Airbus Defence. This the first time that DGQA has given QMS certification to a foreign aircraft manufacturer. The certification of the QMS is integral to the manufacture of C295s in India, which involves the full development of a complete industrial ecosystem – from the production of parts to assembly, test, and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.

 

The Make-In-India initiative of C295 aircraft will generate 600 direct & highly skilled jobs and 3000 indirect jobs. It will involve over 125 MSME spread over 7 states.

 

The Airbus C295 is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment. It is robust and reliable but also highly versatile in terms of the number of different missions it can perform. The C295 conducts multi-role operations worldwide under all weather conditions. It is fully certified and routinely operates day and night in combat missions in all weather extremes, from desert to maritime environments, from extremely hot to extremely cold temperatures.

The aircraft can perform a wide variety of missions effectively which includes tactical and logistical transport, parachute and cargo drop, medical evacuation, and maritime patrol. It has a Capacity to carry 73 troops / 48 paratroopers / 12 stretcher intensive care medevac / 27 stretcher medevac with 4 medical attendants. Normally Its Maximum payload is 7,050 kg but can be overloaded to 9,250 kg. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction para dropping of troops and cargo. It is capable to taking off from short runways of around 1 km in length and land on semi prepared surfaces. It has flight endurance of upto 11 hours.

It will feature modern avionics, intuitive Human Machine Interface(HMI) with touch controls. It will easy the operation of fighter jet easing out the workload of pilots.

The aircraft would have an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. The Counter Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) for aircraft will be provided by BDL.

BEL will be providing the DRDO’s Radar Warning Receiver RWR and Ultraviolet based Missile Approach Warning System MAWS for the aircraft.