Why the C-295 transport planes matter for the IAF

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (October 28) inaugurated a plant in Vadodara, where Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) will manufacture the C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Highlights:

• On October 28, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft assembly facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, a joint project by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Airbus.
• This Final Assembly Line (FAL) facility marks a significant step in India's defense manufacturing capabilities under the “Make in India” initiative.

Background and Production Agreement:

• Originally produced by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA, now part of Airbus, the C295 is assembled in Seville, Spain.
• India signed a ₹21,935 crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space in 2021 to procure 56 C295 aircraft for replacing the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 planes.

The deal specifies:

• 16 aircraft will be delivered by Airbus in a fly-away condition from Spain by 2025.
• 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by TASL, starting from September 2026 through 2031.
• After IAF's requirements are met, Airbus can export Indian-made C295 aircraft and supply them to civil operators with clearance from the Indian government.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities of the C295

Transport Capacity:

• Weight: Can carry 5-10 tonnes.
• Speed: Maximum speed of 480 kmph.
• Capacity: The aircraft can seat 71 personnel and offers an unobstructed cabin, enhancing its cargo-carrying capability.

Design Features:

• Equipped with a rear ramp door for quick troop deployment and para-dropping.
• Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) capability allows it to operate on semi-prepared surfaces and short airstrips (as short as 2,200 feet).
• The aircraft will be fitted with an indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

Operational Environments:

• The C295 has proven its durability and versatility in diverse terrains globally, including:
  • Jungles of Brazil, mountains of Colombia
  • Deserts of Algeria and Jordan
  • Cold climates in Poland and Finland
  • Operationally active in conflict zones like Chad, Iraq, and Afghanistan

Roles and Tactical Use:

• Troop and Cargo Transport: Efficiently moves troops and supplies from main airfields to forward operating bases.
• Casualty and Medical Evacuation: Adaptable for medical missions.
• Special Missions and Disaster Relief: Ideal for emergency response scenarios.
• Maritime Patrol: Can be used for patrolling coastlines or high-seas areas.

Strategic Importance for India’s Defense and Self-Reliance Goals

• The Vadodara facility is India’s first private-sector military aircraft production unit and will bolster India’s aerospace capabilities.
• With 96% of the production processes to be done in India, this project maximizes indigenous content.
• By localizing production, India not only strengthens its defense infrastructure but also lays the groundwork for potential aircraft exports in the future, elevating its global position in the aerospace sector.

Prelims Takeaways

• Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant
• Short Take-off and Landing (STOL)