First India-built C-295 military transport aircraft completes successful test flight

NEW DELHI: The first test flight of the C-295 military transport aircraft built entirely in India has been successfully completed. The aircraft was manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at its facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, with support from Airbus Defence and Space. The C-295 is a modern military transport aircraft designed to handle heavy cargo efficiently. It can be used for troop and equipment transport, disaster relief operations, and maritime patrol missions.

In September 2021, India had signed a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Spain to procure 56 C-295 aircraft. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative at the Vadodara facility. The Indian-made aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by 2031. The Vadodara plant was inaugurated on October 28, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Replacement for Avro aircraft

1. The C-295 will replace the ageing Avro transport aircraft that have been in service with the Indian Air Force since the 1960s.
2. The aircraft is expected to strengthen the Air Force's operational capabilities, particularly along the China border and in strategic regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
3. For medical evacuation missions, the aircraft can carry up to 24 stretchers and seven medical attendants.
4. The C-295 has a maximum speed of 482 kmph and can fly at low speeds of around 110 knots when required.
5. It is equipped with a large rear ramp, allowing troops and cargo to be loaded and unloaded quickly.
6. The aircraft also features short take-off and landing capabilities, enabling operations from temporary and unprepared airstrips.