Airbus Celebrates Milestone with India’s Inaugural C295 Delivery
Airbus Defence and Space has formally transferred the initial C295 aircraft out of a total of 56 to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in fly-away condition, marking the beginning of the replacement for its aging Avros-748 fleet.
The C295, configured for transport and equipped with a domestically-produced electronic warfare system, is set to depart from Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Seville, Spain, for Delhi, India, shortly, piloted by a collaborative crew from IAF and Airbus.
“We signed this landmark contract with India just two years ago, representing the largest order in the history of the C295,” remarked Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’ Head of Military Air Systems, during a delivery event in Seville attended by IAF Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
“Today, we are significantly enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force and upgrading its transport fleet by providing the first aircraft as scheduled. This marks the commencement of a thrilling and enduring partnership with the Indian Air Force.”
The initial 16 C295s out of the 56 aircraft ordered will be assembled at the San Pablo Sur location in Seville, Spain. The second aircraft is expected to be delivered by May 2024, with the subsequent 14 units scheduled for production at a rate of one per month until August 2025.
First C295 ‘Make in India’ Targeted for 2026
To enhance self-sufficiency in India’s defense manufacturing domain, the remaining 40 C295s from the IAF order will be produced and assembled—collaboratively with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)—at a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, located in western India.
Component production for these aircraft has already commenced at the Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, southern India. These parts will be transported to the Vadodara FAL, which is anticipated to become operational by November 2024.
The inaugural ‘Make in India’ C295 is projected to be completed at the Vadodara FAL by September 2026, representing a significant milestone for the Indian aerospace sector, with the final aircraft expected to reach the IAF by August 2031.
With a total of 283 orders from 41 operators, the C295 holds the status of an unrivaled leader in its category, recognized for its adaptability. It has the capability to transport up to 71 personnel or 50 paratroopers, conduct cargo airdrops, facilitate medical evacuations, and take off and land on short, unpaved runways.
