C-295 MW Transport Aircraft: A Game-changer for the Indian Air Force

On September 13, 2023, India acquired its first C-295 MW transport plane. Attending the official handing over ceremony of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft in Seville, Spain, was Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhari, head of the Air Staff. The aircraft was formally delivered by Airbus to the Indian Air Force, according to the IAF.

India has formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet. As per the contractual agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its final assembly line at Seville. Forty aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies. All the C-295 aircraft will be handed over in transport configuration and equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. Akashvani correspondent reports that the acquisition of 56 C295 aircraft will boost the Make in India initiatives. The partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced System will pave the way for the development of the industrial ecosystem in the aviation sector. As the process will involve manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, it will attract huge investment and create several skilled and indirect jobs. The C-295 is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for conducting logistic operations to locations that are not accessible for heavier aircraft.