WATCH: India gets its first C-295 aircraft 10 days ahead of schedule

'Major milestone for India'

#WATCH | On the handing over of C-295 transport aircraft to India, Airbus Head of Defence and Aerospace Jean-Brice Dumont in Spain said that Make in India and Prime Minister Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat are at the heart of his company and pointed to his team members saying they… pic.twitter.com/BbcWcUQoQ3

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

Speaking at the event, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, "The delivery of the first aircraft has been ahead of schedule by 10 days."

#WATCH | "...The delivery of the first aircraft has been ahead of schedule by 10 days," says IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari after he receives symbolic keys of C295 aircraft from Airbus in Spain. pic.twitter.com/JZFUxWSzNo

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

"It is a major milestone not only for IAF but for the whole country. This is for two reasons - first, for IAF it improves our tactical airlift capabilities. For a nation, it marks the beginning of a new era. For Atmanirbhar Bharat, after the first 16 aircraft roll out from this plant, the 17th aircraft onwards will be made in India," Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said.

"It's a big step for the Indian aviation industry where we will be manufacturing the first military transport aircraft in the country...," he added.

#WATCH | IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on receiving delivery of the first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus in Spain

"It is a major milestone not only for IAF but for the whole country. This is for two reasons - first, for IAF it improves our tactical airlift… pic.twitter.com/RDCUDjAkgI

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari further said that the IAF has ordered for 56 aircraft. "There is also a requirement for aircraft by Coast Guard, Home Ministry and in future by Indian Navy also. The numbers may go well beyond 56....," he added.

#WATCH | "IAF order was for 56 aircraft. There is also a requirement for aircraft by Coast Guard, Home Ministry and in future by Indian Navy also. The numbers may go well beyond 56....": IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, in Spain pic.twitter.com/8F08ma0gsU

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

A Rs 21,953 crore deal was inked by India with Airbus for delivery of 56 C-295 aircraft for the IAF.

As per the pact, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition, manufactured at its facility in Seville. The subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in Gujarat’s Vadodara as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

By September 2024, the IAF will receive the total fleet of C-295.

VIDEO | "While the first aircraft was rolled out from Spain, the 17th aircraft will be assembled at the final assembly line in Baroda in 2026. It will mark a historic moment as the first time a military transport aircraft will be fully manufactured in India," says Chief of Air… pic.twitter.com/TsOS1HrUhU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 13, 2023

The first made-in-India aircraft will be delivered in 2026, while the rest 39 by 2031.

As per IAF, all 56 aircraft will be installed with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) to enhance its capabilities in the operational areas.

Notably, this is the first time that a military aircraft will be produced by a private Indian company.

#WATCH | IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari receives the keys first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus in Spain.

The Indian Air Force chief will fly the aircraft today. The aircraft is going to be inducted officially in India at a ceremony at Hindon Airbase on September… pic.twitter.com/78k3rIdHLu

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

The C-295 twin-turbo aircraft can carry up to nine tonnes of cargo and has the capacity to transport 71 troops. It has a cruising speed of 260 knots or around 481 kilometres per hour. It has capability of covering long distances and can even land on smaller airstrips.

According to the Airbus website, the C-295 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines that provide excellent manoeuvrability, outstanding hot-and-high performance, with fuel consumption for a very long endurance of up to 13 hours aloft.

VIDEO | Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari inspects the Airbus C295 aircraft before taking a sortie in the transport plane at Seville, Spain. pic.twitter.com/Ga0frhkljb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 13, 2023

The C-295 aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.

It also has the capability of being equipped for air-to-air refuelling of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

With inputs from agencies