New Delhi: India’s defence manufacturing programme achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden test flight of the first Made-in-India Airbus C295 military transport aircraft from the Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The C295 is being manufactured under a partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), making it the first military aircraft to be produced by a private company in India. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is procuring 56 C295 aircraft under a ₹21,935-crore deal signed in 2021. While the first 16 aircraft are being supplied in fly-away condition from Spain, the remaining 40 are being manufactured and assembled in India.
The aircraft is set to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro HS-748 fleet, which has been in service for over six decades.
The Airbus C295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft designed for a variety of military and humanitarian missions.
The Airbus C295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft with a payload capacity of up to 9 tonnes. It can carry 71 fully equipped soldiers or 50 paratroopers and can also be configured for medical evacuation missions with space for up to 24 stretchers. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, the aircraft can achieve a maximum cruising speed of around 480 kmph. Depending on the payload and mission profile, the C295 has a range of up to 5,600 kilometres and can remain airborne for more than 11 hours, making it suitable for long-duration military, humanitarian and surveillance operations.
The C295 is designed to perform multiple roles, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, disaster relief, maritime patrol, search and rescue, and special operations.
One of its standout features is its ability to operate from short and unprepared runways. This capability allows the aircraft to function effectively in remote regions, mountainous terrain and forward airbases, making it particularly valuable for India’s diverse operational requirements.
The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics and a digital glass cockpit, which reduces pilot workload and enhances situational awareness. It can operate efficiently during both day and night and in adverse weather conditions.
The C295 programme is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem and generate thousands of jobs. More than 125 Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are involved in manufacturing components for the aircraft.
The first India-made C295 is expected to be delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2026, marking another step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and its ambition to emerge as a global aerospace hub.
