The C-295 medium transport aircraft, which will be manufactured in India jointly by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and European firm Airbus Defence and Space, comes as a replacement for the IAF’s fleet of ageing Avro-748 planes that entered service in the early 1960s.

There’s a growing consensus within the air force on the C-295s being the right fit to replace the AN-32s, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named.

The IAF currently operates a fleet of more than 90 AN-32s that play a critical role in supporting forward deployed troops along the country’s frontiers including Ladakh and the Northeast.

 “The C-295 is capable of carrying out the roles assigned to AN-32s, and can be a good replacement when the time comes. While the air force is not in a rush to zero in on a replacement for AN-32s as their phasing out will begin only after 2030, the C-295 fits the bill,” said a second official.

India and Ukraine had inked a $400-million deal in 2009 to modernise the AN-32 fleet.

Some of them were upgraded in Ukraine a decade ago to improve avionics and increase engine lifespan, while several others are being upgraded at an IAF repair facility in Kanpur.

The Avro replacement project was in the works for more than a decade. The defence acquisition council — India’s apex defence procurement body — gave its acceptance of necessity (AoN) in 2012 to replace the Avro planes with 56 new aircraft. Under India’s defence procurement rules, an AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.

In a shot in the arm for the government’s Make in India initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on October 30, laid the foundation stone for a manufacturing facility being set up by the Tata-Airbus consortium at Vadodara in Gujarat for the C-295s, expected to replace the Avro aircraft.

The event was the result of a ₹21,935-crore contract the defence ministry signed with Airbus Defence and Space last year for 56 C-295 aircraft. TASL is jointly executing the contract, which is being seen as a boost to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self reliant India) campaign.

The development was seen as significant as a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private consortium for the first time.

“By the time the AN-32s come up for replacement, the last of the C-295s would have been delivered to the IAF as Avro replacement. Going in for C-295s as a substitute for AN-32 will ensure continuity in production,” the second official added.

As part of the contract, 16 C-295 aircraft will be delivered by Airbus in flyaway condition from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India. The 16 flyaway aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025, while the first Made in India C-295 is projected to roll out of the new facility in September 2026, with the remaining estimated to be ready by August 2031.

The C-295 is more than capable of replacing the AN-32 when the air force starts phasing out the latter in a decade, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. “Continued production of C-295s in India will ensure timely deliveries, and a higher indigenous content. Advance planning ensures preparedness. The AN-32 is ageing and will ultimately require replacement,” Chopra added.

The C-295 can carry up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel (or 45 paratroopers) and has a maximum speed of 480 kmph. It can also operate from short or unprepared airstrips, has a rear ramp for para dropping troops and cargo, and will strengthen the logistic capabilities of IAF.

It exceeds the performance of the Avro and AN-32 transport planes, and is extremely fuel efficient, IAF vice chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh had said in October.

Apart from the 56 planes already ordered, the C-295 facility at Vadodara will be capable of meeting additional requirements for the air force and also cater to export orders, officials said.

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To start with, 40 of the 56 C-295MW transport aircraft being procured from Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain, will be manufactured at the new facility in Vadodara.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Vadodara facility on October 30. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be among those attending the function.

In September 2021, after the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space SA, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for acquisition of the aircraft with associated equipment.

Addressing a press conference Thursday, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said that as part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India by the Indian aircraft contractor, Tata consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL.

“The first 16 flyaway aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first Made-in-India aircraft is expected in September 2026,” Kumar said.

The aircraft will be able to operate from Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) and even unprepared runways, and it can carry around 40-45 paratroopers or around 70 passengers.

Sale, Export Plans

The C-295MW transport aircraft project is the first involving the manufacture of a military aircraft in India by a private company. Future plans involve sale of the aircraft to domestic operators — the aircraft can also be used for civilian purposes — and export to countries following government clearance.

“This is for the first time, the C-295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe. This is very significant for the domestic aerospace sector,” he said.

It is also the first project in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well.

The C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Its abilities include short takeoff and landing from semi-prepared surfaces.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said all 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous Electronic Warfare suite of Indian DPSUs, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

“After completion of delivery of 56 aircraft to IAF, Airbus Defence & Space will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators and export to countries which are cleared by the Government of India,” it stated.

The project, the Ministry said, offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.

Also, 96% of the total man hour work per aircraft that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility in Spain will be undertaken in India by the Tata Consortium, it stated.

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