The first Airbus C295 aircraft for India successfully completed its inaugural flight in the Spanish city of Seville, marking an important step towards delivery in the second half of this year. In September 2021, India agreed to pay about Rs 21,000 crore to Airbus Defence and Space for 56 C-295 cargo planes to replace the IAF’s outdated Avro-748 planes. According to Airbus, the tactical aircraft took off from Seville on May 5 at 11:45 a.m. local time and landed at 14:45 p.m. following a three-hour journey, news agency PTI reported.
According to the contract, Airbus will be delivering the first 16 aircraft in “fly-away” condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025. Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), an industrial partner of the two companies, will manufacture and assemble the remaining 40 aircraft in India.
“This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme. With the Indian Air Force set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world, this programme exemplifies our commitment to improve the Indian Air Force (IAF) operational capabilities,” Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, was quoted by PTI in its report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the cornerstone for the C295 aircraft manufacturing plant in Vadodara in October 2022.
According to Airbus, the C295 final assembly line, which is being built in Gujarat, is the first substantial, private sector Make-in-India defence initiative. It will open up the industrial value chain for the design, production, assembly, testing, delivery, and maintenance phases of the aircraft’s entire lifecycle.
“This programme will significantly contribute towards developing the indigenous capabilities of Indian companies for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” it said in a statement.
According to the aircraft manufacturer, the C295 has received 280 orders from 39 operators worldwide, making it the only aircraft in its weight and mission class.
The C295 is a well-known superior aircraft used for logistic operations to places that current bigger aircraft cannot reach and for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers.
The aircraft can be utilised for casualty or medical evacuation as well as airdropping cargo and paratroopers.
The aircraft is equipped to do special missions, disaster relief operations, and maritime patrol responsibilities.
After the mega deal was reached last year, Airbus announced that the C295 programme will let the business to collaborate with its industrial partners to deliver its whole portfolio of top-notch aircraft manufacture and maintenance to India.
(With PTI Inputs)