The Indian Air Force's quest for additional transport aircraft is likely to be fulfilled earlier than expected, if a video circulating on social media is to be believed. The footage shows the first India-assembled C-295 aircraft being rolled out of the Tata Advanced Systems Assembly Plant in Vadodara, Gujarat.
This plant was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in October 2024. The aircraft in the video appears almost ready for rollout, which may occur earlier than the initially planned September. In January, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also visited the facility.
Background of the C-295 Deal
India signed a $3.5 billion deal with European consortium Airbus in August 2021 to acquire 56 C-295 aircraft, replacing the aging fleet of 56 HS-748 Avros. Under the agreement, 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India under the Made in India initiative. Delivery of all 40 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to be completed by 2031.
Maintenance and Indigenous Production
India will also establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for the C-295, serving both domestic needs and the wider region. Ten of the 36 operators of this aircraft are in India's vicinity and can utilize this facility. The program has significantly boosted the Indian defence ecosystem, with 13,400 parts and 4,600 sub-assemblies now sourced domestically. Over 96% of the work previously done in Spain on an airframe is now performed in India.
Additional Orders and Future Prospects
Following the original order, the government has cleared a second order for 15 aircraft worth $3.1 billion. Of these, nine will be delivered to the Navy under the Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMRA) program, operating alongside the P-8I, and six will go to the Indian Coast Guard under the Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) program.
The IAF is expected to place further orders as its fleet of An-32 aircraft nears retirement. The An-32, inducted in the 1980s, has been a workhorse for the IAF, serving from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the high Himalayas. The C-295 is well-positioned to replace the An-32, with a payload capacity of 9,000 kg compared to the An-32's 6,700 kg. Both aircraft can carry 24 stretchers or a similar number of paratroopers.
Medium Transport Aircraft Program
The IAF is currently seeking 40-80 aircraft under the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, which requires a minimum payload of 20 tonnes. It is anticipated that additional C-295s will be procured to replace the remaining An-32s.
