Mint Explainer: India gets its first Airbus C295 transport aircraft. Why it matters

India has taken the delivery of the first C295 transport aircraft from Airbus Spain. It had signed a deal with the aviation giant to purchase 56 such aircraft in 2021. Bought at a cost of ₹21,935 crore, the purchase will help refurbish the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 transport fleet. Here’s why it matters

What are the particulars of the deal?

In September 2021, India signed a deal with aviation giant Airbus for 56 such C295 transport aircraft. Under the terms of the deal, India would receive 16 aircraft assembled in Spain, while the remaining 40 would be assembled in India. The country’s armed forces took delivery of the first aircraft, assembled in Spain, on Wednesday. The planes will be assembled in Vadodara, Gujarat in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited. 

Why is India purchasing these planes?

The C295 is expected to replace India’s aging Avro-748 transport fleet, which was first flown in 1961. Replacing these aircraft will be vital for India to improve its military capabilities “The aircraft, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions. It can routinely operate day and night combat missions from desert to maritime environments. It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features,” the Ministry of Defence said about the C-295 aircraft. It is expected to cater to missions ranging from carrying troops and cargo to surveillance and disaster relief missions.

What are the other benefits?

The deal is also significant since it is the first time a private company will manufacture military aircraft in India. Typically, this role was dominated by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is hoped that assembling this aircraft in India will also provide a fillip to the larger defence ecosystem in the country. Not only is the project expected to create high-skilled jobs, but it is also likely to spur the development of assembly facilities and physical infrastructure which could help India develop itself as a base for defence manufacturing.

What are the timelines involved?

Airbus has promised to deliver a second aircraft in May 2024 and the next 14 are expected to be delivered at the rate of one per month until August 2025. According to The Hindu, India's production line will start in November 2024. The first aircraft assembled in India will be delivered in September 2026.