On Wednesday, the inaugural C-295 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force successfully touched down in Vadodara. The aircraft, under the command of Group Captain PS Negi, completed its journey after departing from Bahrain earlier in the day.
This moment marked the arrival of the very first aircraft out of the 56 on order, all of which will be assembled at the San Pablo Sur facility located in Seville, Spain.
The subsequent aircraft in the sequence is anticipated to be handed over in May 2024, followed by a steady pace of one aircraft per month until August 2025, when 14 more will be introduced into service. The remaining 40 aircraft from the Indian Air Force's order will be both manufactured and assembled in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at a dedicated Final Assembly Line (FAL) situated in Vadodara, located in western India.
The first C-295 transport aircraft, a significant milestone in the 'Make in India' initiative, is anticipated to roll off the FAL production line in September 2026, with the estimated delivery to the Air Force set for August 2031.
With an impressive tally of 283 orders received from 41 different operators, the C-295 is firmly established as the leading aircraft in its category. It stands out for its exceptional versatility, capable of accommodating up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, facilitating airdrop cargo missions, and serving in medical evacuation operations. Additionally, the aircraft boasts the capability to take off and land on short and unpaved runways, further enhancing its operational flexibility.
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