Indian Air Force Inducts Its First C-295 Transport Aircraft

The Indian Air Force’s logistical prowess was given a boost on Monday with the arrival of the service’s first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft.

At the Hindan Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, the induction ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, head of the Indian Air Force, presided over the induction ceremony, which was also attended by other high-ranking IAF and Airbus officials.

Following the induction, Singh participated in a “Sarva Dharma Pooja” ceremony at the hangar.

This cutting-edge plane can do everything from special operations to disaster relief to marine patrolling.

When production in India begins, it will join the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and Japan as one of only a handful of countries capable of building the C-295.

According to the terms of the agreement, 16 of the 56 C-295 planes will be made in Spain, while the other 40 will be made at a joint venture between Tata and Airbus in Vadodara, Gujarat. The first time a private consortium in India will produce a military aircraft, this joint venture will go down in history. The final assembly line in Vadodara is set to become operational by November next year.

In order to facilitate rapid responses and paradrops of troops and cargo, the C-295 aircraft will be outfitted with in-house electronic warfare systems and rear ramp doors. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari, then serving as Deputy Chief of Air Staff, oversaw the signing of the nearly Rs 22,000 crore contract in September 2021.

Key Features of the C-295 Transport Plane:

• Capacity: 5-10 tonne transport aircraft
• Passenger Capacity: Up to 71 troops or 49 para-troopers
• Maximum Cruise Speed: 260 knots
• Versatile Low-Level Flight Characteristics for Tactical Missions
• Rear Ramp Door for Quick Reaction and Para-Dropping
• Indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited
• Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines power the plane.
• Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) Capability for Unprepared Airstrips
• Medical Evacuation Capability with 24 stretchers and seven medical attendants.