IAF Gets Cabinet Nod To Procure 56 C-295 MW Transport Aircraft, 40 To Be Made In India

“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company,” the ministry said.

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Spain-based M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A. for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Ministry of Defence in a release said 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of signing of the contract.

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“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company,” the ministry added.

C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

This project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft.

The programme will provide a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry.

The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India.

Expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3000 indirect jobs and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India, the programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country.

The Defence Ministry further said it will involve development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. 

“During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes will gain and maintain globally recognized National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation,” the ministry added.