On 10 June 2026, the first indigenously assembled C-295 military transport aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight at the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, Gujarat. This project is a collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
Program Details and Procurement
- Contract: Signed in September 2021 by the Ministry of Defence to procure 56 aircraft for ₹21,935 crore.
- Dual-Phase Delivery:
- Fly-Away Fleet (16): Manufactured at Airbus’ facility in Seville, Spain.
- Indigenously Assembled Fleet (40): Manufactured by TASL at the Vadodara FAL, inaugurated in October 2024.
- Objective: To replace the aging Avro HS-748 fleet and modernize the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) tactical airlift capabilities.
Technical Capabilities
- Performance: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines with a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots.
- Payload: Can carry up to 9.2 tonnes of cargo, 71 infantry troops, or 50 paratroopers.
- Versatility: Optimized for Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) on unpaved/semi-prepared airstrips, critical for border logistics and remote island operations.
- Multirole Use: Capable of maritime patrol, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and airborne firefighting.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Private Sector Milestone: This is the first time a private company (TASL) is manufacturing a military transport aircraft in India, traditionally a domain for state-owned HAL.
- Indigenous Tech: All aircraft feature an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) developed by BEL and BDL.
- Global Status: With 56 units, India becomes the largest operator of the C-295 platform globally.
- Impact: The project supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and is expected to create 25,000 direct and indirect jobs by integrating domestic MSMEs.