Tata, Airbus to jointly manufacture C-295 defence aircraft
The C-195 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW-127 turboprop engines and is primarily used as a tactical and logistical aircraft for military purposes
In a major development, the Tata Group has joined hands with aviation giant Airbus Defence and Space to develop C295 defence aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Vadodara, Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone for this new facility in Vadodara on October 30, 2022.
The deal between Tata and Airbus, worth Rs 21,935 crore, to jointly manufacture 56 units of C-295 MW transport aircrafts was signed and approved by India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in September last year. For the first time, the C-295 aircraft will be manufactured outside Europe.
Project to be completed by 2031
As per this deal, the new C-295 aircraft will replace the ageing Avro HS748 fleet in the Indian Air Force. This project should provide a significant boost to the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities as the government has been harping on the ‘Make In India’ initiative for the past few years.
Airbus C295 defence aircraft
It is also the first instance where a private company in India will manufacture a military aircraft. Regulatory approval for this pioneering project was accorded by Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which is responsible for procurement and development programmes related to the military.
According to the contract, out of these 56 aircrafts, 16 units will be supplied by Airbus in flyaway condition whereas the rest of the 40 units will be manufactured at the Vadodara-based facility. The first 16 flyaway aircrafts will be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025.
The first Made in India aircraft is expected to be manufactured by September 2026 while the last unit is expected to be delivered to the defence forces by 2031. The Indian consortium will be led by TASL and assisted by its sister company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
MoD claims that 96% of the work that Airbus does in its facility in Spain would be carried out in the new Indian facility. Manufacturing of over 13,400 detail parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the seven major component assemblies will be undertaken in India. Various systems such as engines, landing gear and avionics will be provided by Airbus and integrated into the aircraft by the TATA Consortium
All 56 units of the C295 aircraft will be fitted with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite to be developed by state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited. TATA Consortium has identified more than 125 in-country MSME suppliers spread over seven states.
After completion of delivery of 56 aircrafts to IAF, Airbus will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators and export to countries which are cleared by the Government of India. At the end of this project, the Vadodara-based facility will serve as an export hub for the aircraft as well as cater to additional orders by the IAF.
40 units of C295 to be manufactured in India
About C-295
The C-295 MW is a defence transport aircraft with a 5-10 tonne capacity and loaded with contemporary technology. The aircraft is capable of carrying around 40-45 air troopers or 70 passengers at a time and can operate from Advanced Landing Grounds and even semi-prepared/unprepared runways.
C-295 is a superior aircraft for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to the current heavier aircraft. It features a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Further, the aircraft can also be utilised for casualty or medical evacuation as well as maritime patrol duties and disaster response missions.
(Images courtesy: Airbus)
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti
