Sep 13, 2023
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari was in Spain to receive the aircraft that has been made for India by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus at its facility in Seville.
Image Source: PTI
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, who was at the ceremony, said the IAF will soon become the largest operator of the C-295 aircraft.
Image Source: ANI
A joint venture of Tata and Airbus in Vadodara, Gujarat, will manufacture 40 C-295 planes.
Image Source: ANI
VR Chaudhari had led the contract negotiations as the then deputy Chief of Air Staff. The contract, worth nearly Rs 22,000 crore, was signed in September 2021.
Image Source: ANI
"It is a major milestone not only for the IAF but for the whole country. This is for two reasons - first, for IAF it improves our tactical airlift capabilities. For the nation, it marks the beginning of a new era. For Atmanirbhar Bharat, after the first 16 aircraft roll out from this plant, the 17th aircraft onwards will be made in India." said the air chief.
Image Source: ANI
Once India starts building the C-295 planes, it will join a select group of countries that can manufacture the aircraft. Others in the group include US, UK, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and Japan.
Image Source: ANI
The C-295 transport plane has a capacity of 5-10 tonnes and can carry troops, para-troopers, and cargo. It has low-level flight characteristics, rear ramp doors, and an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
Image Source: PTI
The plane will fly to India after the ceremony,” defence officials told ANI. The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into the service at a ceremony in Hindon Air Force Base around the end of September.
Image Source: ANI
The C-295 plane will be flown to India by Group Captain PS Negi, with stopovers at Malta, Egypt, and Bahrain before landing at Vadodara air base.
Image Source: ANI
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