Tata, Airbus to make C-295 transport aircraft for IAF in Gujarat

Tags: Defence National News

A consortium led by the Tata group and Airbus will manufacture the C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat, the government said in a statement on 27 October.

Important facts

• The total cost of the project is ₹21,935 crore.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the transport aircraft manufacturing project for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 30.

• As part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India.

• It will manufactured by the Indian Aircraft Contractor, Tata Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL.

• This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.

• The aircraft can also be used for civilian purposes.

• The first 16 fly-away aircraft will be received between September 2023 and August 2025.

• The first Made in India aircraft is likely to be received by September 2026.

Aircraft capability

• C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology. 

• It will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.

• It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. 

• Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features. 

• It will strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF.