India's first 'made-in-India' C295 military transport aircraft has successfully completed its maiden test-flight at the final assembly line in Gujarat, marking a significant milestone for Indian aviation and defence. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), in partnership with Airbus, is manufacturing the C295 aircraft at the Vadodara plant.
Maiden Test-Flight Achieved
In an official post on X, Airbus Defence, the military division of Airbus, stated on Wednesday: 'This maiden test flight is a crucial step in the aircraft's post production testing process. As the first of 40 aircraft to be built in India, the test-flight advances the programme's objective of delivering the first 'Made-in-India' C295 aircraft this year to the Indian Air Force. A game-changer in the government of India's 'Make in India' vision, the C295 India programme is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector.'
Contract and Production Details
India had signed a Rs 21,935 crore contract with Spain in September 2021 for 56 C-295 transport aircraft. Of these, 16 aircraft are being supplied directly from Spain in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 are planned to be manufactured in India under the 'Make in India' initiative. The Vadodara plant was inaugurated on October 28, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.
IAF Congratulates Team
Welcoming the maiden test-flight, the Indian Air Force (IAF) congratulated the entire team behind the successful maiden flight of the first India-made C-295. In a post on X, the IAF said: 'The achievement reinforces India's growing aerospace capabilities and underscores the IAF commitment to fostering indigenous defence capability under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.' Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, deputy chief of the air staff, visited the Vadodara plant last month to get a first-hand update about the C295 aircraft.
Capabilities of the C295
The C295, which will replace the aging Avro-748 fleet of the IAF, is a medium tactical military transport aircraft designed for troop movement, cargo transport, medical evacuation and special operations missions. It can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers or 24 medical stretchers. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines, it is equipped with short take-off and landing capabilities and can operate from rugged, semi-prepared and short airstrips, making it ideal for Indian operational requirements, especially in mountainous regions and remote forward bases.
