- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received its first C-295 transport plane during a ceremony in Spain's Seville.
- The aircraft is capable of special missions, disaster response, and maritime patrol duties.
- With this, IAF is set to become the largest operator of C-295 aircraft.
- This achievement aligns with the government's "Make in India" initiative and contributes to strengthening the country' defense industrial airbase.
About:-
- The initial order counts up to 56 aircrafts by IAF, while additional orders from Coast Guard, Home Ministry and in future Indian Navy also, will increase the numbers beyond 56.
- The aircraft has been made for India by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus at its facility in Seville.
- The delivery of first aircraft took place 10 days ahead of its fixed schedule.
- The first 16 aircrafts will be manufactured in Spain, while the other 40 will be produced by a joint venture of Tata and Airbus in their facility at Vadodara, Gujarat.
- It will be the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium.
- Th foundation stone of the facility was laid in October last year.
- The 15 remaining aircraft which are to be built in Spain, will be delivered by the end of 2024.
- The other 40 aircrafts being built in India will be delivered by 2031, in which the first one is likely to come out in September, 2026.
- The C-295 aircrafts will mark a major change in IAF's strategy, it will boost tactical airlift capability along the border with China, also other places like Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago.
Key feature of C-295 transport plane:
- It is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity.
- It can carry as many as 71 troops and 49 para-troopers at a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots.
- It is designed to provide low level flight characteristics for tactical missions.
- The C-295 will have rear ramp-doors for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.
- All 56 aircrafts will be installed with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite that has been made by Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
- The C-295 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines.
- On medical evacuations missions, the C-295 can be fitted with 24 stretchers and seven medical attendants.
- The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into service at a ceremony in Hindon at the end of September.
Source - Times of India