Why C295 aircraft project will prove to be a game changer for India, understand everything from A to Z.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez on Monday inaugurated an aircraft manufacturing factory in Vadodara, Gujarat. Spanish company Air Bus and Tata’s TASL will jointly manufacture C295 aircraft for the Air Force here. This is the first factory (Final Assembly Line) to make military aircraft in the private sector in India, where the aircraft will be given final shape by assembling the components of military aircraft. Tata Advanced Systems Limited will manufacture 40 aircraft here. The Spanish company will help in manufacturing, training and logistics. Experts say that this will prove to be an important milestone for India’s aerospace industry, manufacturing ecosystem and defense capabilities. Let us know in what ways this will prove to be a game changer for India-1- India’s military capability will increase
The induction of C295 aircraft in the Indian Air Force will increase the country’s strategic airlift capability. This is a multirole military aircraft. It can be used in a variety of missions, including carrying troops and supplies, transporting wounded soldiers to hospitals, refueling other aircraft and maritime patrol. The C295 aircraft will replace the aging Antonov AN-32 and HAL’s Avro 748 aircraft. It is much ahead in terms of technology compared to both the older aircraft. It can be flown from short and unpaved runways. This capability is very important on the border with China. The plane flies at a speed of 482km/h. It can carry 9 tonnes of luggage or 71 soldiers or 48 paratroopers. This aircraft also has the capability of electronic signals intelligence.

2- ‘Make in India’ will get a boost
The C295 project will boost India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India’ initiatives. This will reduce dependence on imports from abroad and boost manufacturing capacity in the country. India has signed a deal to buy 56 C295 aircraft from Airbus Company. According to this, 16 aircraft will be found in ready condition. Whereas, 40 aircraft will be manufactured in Vadodara factory. The Air Force has received five C-295 aircraft. The first C295 aircraft arrived in India in September 2023. The first C295 aircraft made in India is expected to be delivered to the Air Force in September 2026. All the aircraft will be delivered to the Air Force by August 2031.

3. Jobs will be created, ecosystem will be boosted
This aircraft project is expected to have a deep impact on employment and the local economy. This unit in Vadodara is expected to diversify the aerospace industry, which has currently been concentrated in South India like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Belagavi. This unit will directly provide employment to more than 3000 people. At the same time, more than 15,000 indirect jobs will be created. TASL and its suppliers will get more than 1 million man hours for the assembly of each aircraft, which will increase the skilled work force. Besides, allied companies and services related to the industry will also get work.

4. Aerospace infrastructure will increase in India
With the manufacturing of C295 aircraft, infrastructure will also be ready in India for its maintenance. Indian Air Force personnel will be given training in flying and using C295 aircraft. Aircraft maintenance facilities will be erected. The supply chain will be ready for spare parts. Long-term agreements will be signed to ensure that India’s C295 fleet aircraft remain in flying condition. In this project, a stick holding depot will be established in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh and a training center will be established at the Air Force Station in Agra. This will help India’s emerging civil and military aviation industry, which is currently dominated by foreign companies such as Boeing, Airbus, ATR and state-owned HAL.

5. Aircraft exports from India will get direction
The C295 project will not only meet India’s domestic needs but will also provide direction for export of aircraft from here in the future. After making 40 aircraft for the Air Force, Airbus and Tata company will also make aircraft here for orders from other countries approved by the Indian Government. This is in line with the ‘Make for the World’ initiative with Make in India. This will help India emerge as a strong player in the European and American dominated aerospace market.

Who is the parent company that manufactures C295?
The C295 aircraft was originally built by the Spanish company Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA. Later this company became a part of Airbus and now these aircraft are manufactured in the Airbus unit of Spain.

When did India make C295 deal?
In September 2021, the Indian government had signed a deal with Spain’s Airbus Defense and Space Company for 56 C295 aircraft for Rs 21,935 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant of C295 aircraft in Vadodara in October 2022.

What was this agreement?
40 out of 56 aircraft will be manufactured in Vadodara unit. The remaining 16 are to come to India in ready-to-fly condition. The first aircraft has already arrived in India in September 2023. So far five aircraft have been found. The subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India in partnership with TASL and Airbus.

In which areas of the world is this aircraft located?
According to Airbus, the C295 is capable of surviving in the jungles of Brazil, the Colombian mountains in South America, the deserts of Algeria and Jordan in the Middle East, and the cold climate of Poland and Finland in Europe. The aircraft has also flown in military operations in Chad, Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is the specialty of C295 aircraft?
Can perform short take-off and landing on short runways. According to the company, they can fly only at a distance of 320 meters. A runway of 670 meters is enough for landing. That means this aircraft will prove helpful in operations in hilly areas like Ladakh, Kashmir, Assam and Sikkim.

Can carry a total payload of 9,250 kg. Weapons weighing 800 kg can be carried in it. It can carry 71 soldiers, 44 paratroopers, 24 stretchers or 5 cargo pallets at a time. Can fly continuously for 11 hours. The two-person crew cabin also has a smart control system with touchscreen controls.

Length is 80.3 feet, wingspan is 84.8 feet, height is 28.5 feet. This transport aircraft has a ramp door at the rear, which is made for fast loading and dropping of troops or goods. The aircraft is fitted with PW127 Turbotroup engines.