On Monday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) welcomed its first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft in a formal ceremony held in Ghaziabad. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the induction with Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and other senior military dignitaries in attendance.
The Airbus C295 is a state-of-the-art tactical transport aircraft designed for a variety of roles, from transporting troops and cargo to maritime patrol, signals intelligence, and medical evacuations. It boasts the ability to carry a payload of up to nine tonnes or accommodate 71 troops, reaching top cruise speeds of 260 knots.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari accepted the first of the 56 C295 transport aircraft on September 13. This follows a ₹21,935-crore agreement that India inked with Airbus Defence and Space two years ago to replace the old Avro-748 fleets. As part of this deal, Airbus is set to deliver the first 16 aircraft directly from its Seville assembly line by 2025. Meanwhile, the remaining 40 aircraft will be constructed and assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), marking a significant collaboration between the two entities. The Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad has already commenced the production of aircraft components.
This acquisition by the IAF aims to replace its six-decades-old Avro-748 aircraft fleet. The C-295 offers diverse capabilities, from airdropping paratroops and cargo to medical evacuations. Additionally, it is equipped to handle special assignments, disaster response, and maritime patrol operations.
In a related event, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. Organized by the IAF and the Drone Federation of India (DFI), this grand drone exhibition showcases the prowess of the Indian drone sector, featuring over 50 live aerial displays.
