'Boost To Tactical Airlift Capabilities': Air Force Gets First C-295 Transport Aircraft From Airbus In Spain

IAF Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari received the aircraft on behalf of India at the aerospace major's production facility in Seville, Spain.

Airbus handed over the first C-295 transport aircraft to IAF. ( Image Source :ANI )

New Delhi: Airbus Defence and Space handed over the first C-295 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday. IAF Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari received the aircraft on behalf of India at the aerospace major's production facility in Seville, Spain.

In 2021, the Government of India finalised a deal with Airbus for a total cost of Rs 21,935 crore as part of an overall aim to modernise India's air assets.

Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

#WATCH | Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in the cockpit of C-295 transport aircraft at the Seville air base in Spain pic.twitter.com/EI3miKhNlB

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023

On receiving India's first C-295 aircraft, Air Chief Marshal said, "It gives a tremendous boost to the capability of moving our forces to the frontline when required."

VIDEO | "It gives a tremendous boost to the capability of moving our forces to the frontline when required," says Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Airbus C295 aircraft being handed over to IAF by Airbus. pic.twitter.com/2bmNekDmD3

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

Last year in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the manufacturing facility for 295 planes in Vadodara, making it the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium.

Features Of The C-295 Transport Plane:

The C295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

According to PTI, the aircraft can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation.

It is also capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

In May, the first C295 aircraft built for India successfully completed its maiden flight in Seville. The second one is in the final assembly at the Seville facility and is scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in May next year.