Published: 13th Sep, 2021
Context
To provide a major fillip to the transport fleet of the Indian Air Force, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared procurement of 56 transport aircraft from Airbus.
What is C-295MW?
- C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology.
- All aircraft will be installed with the indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
- It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.
- The fleet will replace the Avro aircraft of the Air Force, which are British-origin twin-engine turboprop, military transport and freighter with a 6-tonne freight capacity.
- Its dimensions are smaller than the IAF’s fleet of C-130Js, C-17s and IL-76s, C-295s.
Key-highlights of the project
- 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract.
- The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the TATA Consortium within 10 years of signing the contract.
- This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India under technology transfer by a private company.
- Cost: It is expected to cost close to $3bn.
- Incidentally, this is the first defence contract the European firm Airbus has signed with India since the 1960s despite being in the country for over five decades.
More Articles
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
