Military transport aircraft of the C-295 model, manufactured by Airbus, have been delivered for the final time to India by Spain.
The delivery of the Airbus C-295 aircraft, a versatile and efficient multi-role tactical airlifter, marks an important milestone in strengthening India's defense capabilities. This significant event was reported by ANI and confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The first C295 Aircraft was handed over to the Indian government on September 13, 2023, in Seville, Spain. The Indian Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik, received the aircraft, marking the beginning of a new era in India's defense sector. The Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, presided over the ceremony.
The C295 aircraft has an outstanding reliability record and can be used for various missions, including troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It is also capable of performing tasks such as signals intelligence, armed close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and airborne firefighting.
The initial delivery of 16 aircraft, fully built from Airbus Spain, is scheduled to be completed by August 2025. This delivery is two months ahead of schedule, a significant achievement that strengthens India's defense logistics and operational reach.
The procurement of 56 C295 aircraft from Airbus Spain in a USD 2.5 billion contract is the first Make in India project in the defense aircraft sector. The remaining 40 aircraft will be locally manufactured at a Final Assembly Line established in Vadodara, Gujarat, by Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The Indian-made aircraft deliveries are planned between September 2026 and August 2031.
This contract, signed in September 2021, aims to replace the aging Avro transport fleet and enhance the Indian Air Force's tactical airlift capability. The C-295 aircraft are versatile tactical transports suitable for troop and cargo transport, para-dropping, maritime patrol, surveillance, and medical evacuation, capable of operating from semi-prepared runways in challenging regions like the Northern and North-Eastern sectors and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The bilateral partnership in the defense sector between India and Spain has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. Setting up a D-level Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India is also part of the contract, ensuring long-term sustainability and support for the fleet.
This procurement enhances India's indigenous defense manufacturing under the "Make in India" initiative, boosts tactical airlift capabilities critical for rapid deployment and supply in diverse operational environments, and modernizes the transport fleet significantly.
Financial analysts and industry experts widely celebrate the early delivery of the Airbus C-295 aircraft, praising it as a positive development in India's thriving aerospace sector. Following the delivery, news reports suggest that the C-295 will significantly contribute to boosting the Indian Air Force's tactical airlift capabilities, enhancing defense logistics and operational reach.
