C-295 MILITARY TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT: IMPACT ON INDIA’S DEFENCE AND AEROSPACE COMPLEX

Author: AVM SN Murti (Retd)

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the new Tata Aircraft Complex for C-295 aircraft manufacturing in Vadodara, Gujarat. This facility represents India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line for military aircraft and will manage aircraft assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance.

Induction of C-295 and inauguration of its Final Assembly Line (FAL) is a path breaking achievement, under Make in India. It is the first time that a private company TATA Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is given the responsibility of manufacturing the complete military aircraft. A shift from earlier approach of all such projects being assigned to HAL.

The C-295 aircraft contract between MoD and Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) was signed in Sep 2021 for replacing the fleet of Indian Air Force’s ageing Hawker-Sidley HS-748 (AVRO) aircraft. This aircraft offers a modern transport and logistic solution with a load capacity of 5-10 tonnes, depending on the role.  C-295 aircraft has an endurance of 11 hours, making it versatile platform for tactical missions in various climates, for both day and night operations. It is active presence in 37 countries is a testimony of its reliability, resilience and versatility.

Key Features of the C-295 Aircraft:

•⁠ ⁠Short Take-Off and Landing Capability:  Allows for operations in semi-prepared or short runways.

•⁠ ⁠Rear Ramp Door:  Enables rapid deployment of troops and cargo

•⁠ ⁠Indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite: Supplied by Indian defence public sector undertakings Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd

Production and Delivery:

•⁠ ⁠16 aircraft will be delivered directly by Airbus from Spain. Induction is in progress.

•⁠ 40 aircraft will be assembled locally at the Tata facility in Vadodara

•⁠ ⁠All deliveries expected by August 2031

Future Prospects:

. IAF’s largest transport fleet of AN-32 aircraft will be completing the Total Technical Life (in phased manner) and would require replacement. C-295 is one of the aircraft that would be in contention. It would be in the interest of IAF to operate one type of platform from maintainability aspects.

. C-295 is under consideration for Maritime reconnaissance and multiple roles by Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

. TASL is responsible for providing D-Level maintenance. This would create a private Defence MRO which in long run create alternate maintenance options and supply chain resilience.

            The C-295 project is a significant step forward for India’s defence aerospace manufacturing, operations and maintenance ecosystem. Success of the project will pave way for future collaborations.

Surya Narayana Murti

Air Vice Marshal Surya Narayana Murti superannuated from Indian Air Force after distinguished service of 38 years in the Aeronautical Engineering Branch. He is a professional with M.Tech. (Computer Science & Engineering) from IIT Madras, Chennai and have more than 40 years of experience in Maintenance of Aircrafts. He served on various capacities in IAF including Commanding officer of AN-32 repair Depot. He held the appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (engineering) at Air Headquarters. He provided support to Indian contingent at UN Peace keeping Missions in Congo and Sudan. He has wide experience in aircraft Life Extensions, New Inductions and Upgrades of various types of Helicopters and Transport Aircraft. Post retirement he served as Chief of Operations of IndAmer Mjets Airport Services Pvt Ltd, at New Delhi, for more than 3 years. For his distinguished service he was awarded Visisht Seva Medal by the president of India.