Indian Air Force Formally Inducts First C-295 Transport Aircraft

• 26 Sep 2023

On 25^th Sept, in a formal ceremony at the Hindan Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) officially inducted its first C-295 transport aircraft, following its delivery from the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain.

Key Points

• Induction Ceremony: The medium lift tactical aircraft, capable of operating from unprepared landing grounds, will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft.
• Aircraft Acquisition: India formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft in September 2021 to replace the legacy Avro fleet of the IAF, with a total cost of Rs 21,935 crore.
• Production of aircraft components has commenced in Hyderabad, with the Vadodara Final Assembly Line (FAL) set to be operational by November next year.
• The first India-made C295 is expected to roll out in September 2026, with the final delivery to the IAF slated for August 2031.
• 'Make in India' Aerospace: The C295 aircraft will be produced under India's first-ever 'Make in India' Aerospace program in the private sector, breaking the long-standing monopoly of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in military aircraft manufacturing.