The Central government on Wednesday authorised a deal with the Airbus Defence and Space of Spain to buy 56 C-295MW transport aircraft, thereby replacing the Indian Air force Planes introduced sixty years ago. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the contract will comprise the Tata consortium manufacturing most of the unit.
According to statement, the Ageing Avros of the Indian Air Force will be replaced by the military transport aircraft, costing between a sum of Rs 20,000 crores and Rs 21,000. 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract. On the other hand, the release even mentioned that Tata will make 40 of C-295MWs within a span of 10 years. This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company, as all 56 aircraft will be installed with an indigenous electronic warfare suite. As per the sources, the prices explicitly depend upon the exchange rate. “All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous electronic warfare suite,” said government in a statement. A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India. The C-295MW aircraft is a transport plane of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology. It said the aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.The in-principle approval for the Avro replacement programme was accorded around nine years ago.
