The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 planes.
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India intends to acquire an additional 15 C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus, supplementing the existing contract for 56 units. Of these, 12 aircraft will be produced domestically by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), while three will be delivered in a fly-away condition, as reported by official sources.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will jointly inaugurate the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, which is designated for the production of the C-295. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, this facility will represent the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. It will encompass the comprehensive development of an ecosystem that includes manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout the aircraft’s entire lifecycle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, today inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, dedicated to the production of C-295 aircraft. This initiative encompasses a total of 56 aircraft under the C-295 program, with 16 units being supplied directly by Airbus from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured at this facility, marking it as India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft.
The complex will facilitate the comprehensive development of an ecosystem that includes manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle. In 2021, the Ministry of Defence entered into a contract worth ₹ 21,935 crores with Airbus Defense and Space SA for the procurement of these aircraft. During the inauguration, PM Modi emphasized that the aircraft produced at the Vadodara facility would also be available for export in the future.
He noted that the Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility would enhance the bilateral relations between India and Spain, aligning with the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative. PM Modi, who laid the foundation stone for the C-295 FAL plant in October 2022, also paid homage to the late Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, who was instrumental in the project’s inception. Mr. Tata passed away at the age of 86 earlier this month.
“Recently, we lost a great son of the nation, Ratan Tata ji. If he were here today, he would have felt immense joy, and I believe his spirit is content wherever it may be,” he remarked. At the event, N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, highlighted that the project was initially envisioned by Ratan Tata in 2012.
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that this project was conceived over a decade ago, in 2012, by the then chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata ji, who was pivotal in establishing a partnership with Airbus and laying the groundwork for this significant opportunity.”
Why C-295 Aircraft Is A Game-Changer
The C-295 is a transport aircraft designed to carry between 5 to 10 tonnes, incorporating modern technology to succeed the Indian Air Force’s aging fleet of Avro-748 aircraft. This aircraft is recognized for its advanced capabilities, enabling the tactical transport of up to 71 personnel or 50 paratroopers, as well as facilitating logistical operations in areas inaccessible to larger aircraft.
Characterized as “robust and reliable,” the C-295 boasts a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, allowing it to perform multi-role missions in various weather conditions. It is capable of executing both day and night combat operations across diverse environments, from arid deserts to maritime settings.
The aircraft features a rear ramp door, which facilitates rapid deployment and para-dropping of troops and supplies. Additionally, it is capable of short take-offs and landings on semi-prepared surfaces.
Under the terms of the agreement, all 56 aircraft will be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite developed by Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings, specifically Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
Can fly with 73 soldiers or 48 paratroopers
Two people fly the C-295 aircraft. This includes 73 soldiers or 48 paratroopers or 12 stretcher intensive care medevacs or 27 stretcher medevacs with 4 medical attendants.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) has formed a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture and assemble the C-295 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). As part of this agreement, Tata Advanced Systems has been designated as the Indian Production Agency (IPA) by Airbus DS. The company will manufacture 40 fly-away C-295 aircraft at its facilities and will also offer maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for the total of 56 aircraft that the IAF plans to acquire.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Satellogic Inc. have successfully developed and launched India’s inaugural private space sub-metric high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) satellite. This collaboration marks a pivotal advancement for TASL in the space industry, as it partners with Satellogic Inc. to create India’s first fully integrated satellite manufacturing capability. Established in November 2023, this partnership positions TASL as a leader in the development of EO satellites within the country. The initial achievement of this collaboration is the launch of TSAT-1A, a sophisticated Earth Observation satellite with sub-meter resolution. The satellite was assembled and tested at TASL’s cutting-edge Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility located in Vemagal, Karnataka. This process included extensive training, knowledge transfer, and the local assembly, integration, and testing of optical and critical electronics components of the satellites. TSAT-1A signifies a significant milestone for India’s private sector in space exploration. The satellite was successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in April 2024.
