Airbus Defence and Space has handed over the first Airbus C295 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) this week at Airbus; site in Seville, Spain.
The first IAF C295 was equipped in a transport configuration and with an indigenous electronic warfare suite and is the first of 56 aircraft to be produced.
Following its handover it was flown to India by a joint crew of IAF pilots and Airbus pilots.
“It was only two years ago that we signed this contract with India, the largest order in the history of the C295,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’ Head of Military Air Systems, in a delivery ceremony held in Seville in the presence of India’s Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K. Patnaik and IAF Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
“Today, we are enhancing the capabilities of the Indian Air Force and modernising its transport fleet by delivering the first aircraft on schedule. This is the beginning of an exciting and long-term journey with the Indian Air Force.”
The initial 16 C295’s for the IAF will be made in Seville, Spain whilst the remaining 40 will be manufactured under a “Make in India” programme to help India boost its self-reliance when it comes to defence manufacturing.
The production of Indian-made components has already started in the Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, southern India. These components will then be shipped to the Vadovara Final Assembly Line with the first Indian-made C295 expected in 2026.
The C295 is the undisputed leader in its segment and stands out for its versatility. Its roles can include carrying up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, airdrop cargo, or used for medical evacuation as it has the ability to take off and land on short and unpaved runways.
The type has achieved 283 orders from 41 operators to date.
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