 "15 reasons why the C295 aircraft will transform India's tactical airlift operations")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will inaugurate a new facility in Vadodara on Monday, dedicated to the production of C295 military transport aircraft. This facility marks a significant milestone as it is the first private sector establishment in India focussed on manufacturing military aircraft. It is poised to enhance the Indian defence ecosystem, with additional orders forthcoming. The facility is set to produce a total of 52 aircraft—40 for the Air Force and 12 for the Navy and Coast Guard. Recently approved by the defence ministry, an additional order for 15 aircraft for the Navy and Coast Guard includes three to be purchased off the shelf, with the remainder manufactured in India.
The Air Force has an existing order for 56 C295 aircraft, signed in September 2021 for Rs21,935 crore. Of these, 40 will be produced at the Vadodara facility. Production is expected to commence this year, with the first aircraft slated for delivery by 2026 and all Air Force aircraft planned for delivery by August 2031. The project is spearheaded by Tata Advanced Systems in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space SA, with a total of 37 companies identified by Airbus as sub-suppliers, a significant portion of which will manufacture components in India.
Features and capabilities of Airbus’ New Generation C295:
1. Versatile tactical transport: Designed for various missions, including troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, surveillance, reconnaissance, signals intelligence, close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport and firefighting.
2. Payload and capacity: Carries up to 9 tonnes or 71 troops with a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots and equipped for air-to-air refuelling of aircraft and helicopters.
3. Design features: Retractable landing gear, a 12.69-metre-long pressurised cabin, operates at altitudes up to 30,000 ft with excellent low-level flight characteristics and exceptional short take-off and landing (STOL) performance on unpaved and soft surfaces.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts4. Engine and performance: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines providing outstanding manoeuvrability and long endurance of up to 13 hours.
5. Reliability and track record: Over 200 aircraft in operation, demonstrating high reliability with operators logging 500,000 flight hours across diverse environments.
6. Winglets: Enhances performance, improves takeoff characteristics, increases endurance and reduces fuel consumption by 3-6 per cent.
7. Combat proven: Successfully deployed in remote areas like Chad, Iraq and Afghanistan and operates effectively in various climates, from jungles to deserts and cold winters.
8. Optional self-protection: Includes cockpit armour, chaff/flare dispensers and warning systems for radar, missiles and lasers.
9. Humanitarian use: Used for disaster relief, search and rescue and monitoring illegal activities, capable of resupply missions to remote locations due to STOL characteristics.
10. C295 variants: Multiple configurations available for diverse missions, easily reconfigurable with palletised modular mission systems.
11. Fully integrated tactical system (FITS): Core mission system for anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol and more, processing and presenting sensor data intuitively to the crew.
12. Sensor integration: Equipped with various sensors like radar, EO/IR and communications intelligence systems, supporting growth capability for new sensors and operational needs.
13. Advanced cockpit technology: Features Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line Fusion avionics including multifunctional touchscreen displays for enhanced situational awareness, compatible with night vision goggles and supporting both civil and military operations.
14. Cost-effective operation: Designed for lower operational and maintenance costs compared to larger military transport aircraft making it more accessible for a variety of air forces.
15. Rapid deployment capability: Engineered for quick mission readiness allowing for fast deployment and response in critical situations.
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