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Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard to get Airbus C-295 aircraft soon

Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard to get Airbus C-295 aircraft soon

India Today3 days ago
The Indian Air Force is enhancing its capabilities along the borders by phasing out older aircraft and replacing them with modern ones. The vintage Avro transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force will soon be replaced by the new C-295MW tactical transport aircraft.Along with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Coast Guard is also going to induct C-295 aircraft. According to sources, the induction process is set to begin this year. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the marine version of the C-295 was issued in March 2025 and the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the Acceptance of Necessity.advertisementA total of 15 C-295MW aircraft will be procured, out of which nine will be for the Navy and six will be for the Coast Guard. The deadline for submitting commercial bids is December 2025.
India signed a deal in 2021 with Spain for 56 C-295MW aircraft. These aircraft are being manufactured in Gujarat's Vadodara. The Indian Air Force has already raised its first C-295 squadron at the Vadodara facility.Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this facility in the presence of the Spanish President. The project is being executed in partnership with the Tata consortium and Airbus. This marks the first time a private Indian company is developing military aircraft indigenously.As per the agreement, 16 aircraft will be manufactured in Spain and delivered to India, while the remaining 40 are being built in India. So far, the Indian Air Force has received 15 C-295 aircraft. The first Made-in-India C-295 is expected to be delivered by August next year.The C-295 can carry between 5 to 10 tons of cargo, transport up to 70 soldiers or 50 paratroopers with full battle gear. It features a rear ramp for paradropping troops and cargo. Designed for tactical missions, the aircraft is capable of low-level flying and can operate from short runways, taking off in just 670 meters and landing in 320 meters.These features make it ideal for operations along the Line of Actual Control with China. It can fly for up to 11 hours at a speed of 480 km/h and comes equipped with an indigenous electronic warfare suite. The aircraft can have 24 stretchers during medical evacuation operations.While newer aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules do not require replacement, the ageing Avro fleet is being replaced by the C-295MW. Other ageing aircraft such as the AN-32 and IL-76 are also due for replacement.The AN-32 will begin retiring after 2032, and the IL-76 will serve for a few more years. The Air Force has already issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new medium transport aircraft to replace the AN-32.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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PM praises 2 Odisha women's groups for helping curb forest fires, revive Santhali handloom
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Time of India

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  • Time of India

PM praises 2 Odisha women's groups for helping curb forest fires, revive Santhali handloom

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timean hour ago

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Deeply spiritual experience: PM Modi after offering prayers at Brihadisvara Temple in Tamil Nadu

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Modi's Namibia visit powers India's Africa strategy
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timean hour ago

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Modi's Namibia visit powers India's Africa strategy

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