Finally Approval comes for 56 Transport Aircraft For Indian Airforce
The C-295W aircraft an advanced version of C295M with enhanced performance and a updated engine has been approved by the Cabinet for induction into the IAF. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 56 C-295 W cargo planes for the Indian Air Force on 07 Sep21 and additional 06 for the Coast Guard.
This version of the aircraft was certified in 2015 and started entering service of several Air Forces thereafter. It has a normal payload of 7 tons with maximum of 9.25 tons. It has a range of 155o km with normal payload and 1275km with maximum payload. However with maximum fuel and a payload of just 2.9 tons, It can fly up to 4585km. The normal cruise speed at optimum altitude is 480 km / h. Maximum altitude for the aircraft is 30000 ft.
The aircraft is equipped with modern equipment and avionics including Weather radar. The aircraft includes a rear ramp door for quick response and cargo and para dropping. All aircrafts will also be equipped with indigenous electronic warfare suits.
It has capacity to carry 73 equipped troops or 48 paratroopers. In casualty evacuation mode, it can carry 27 stretchers with 4 medical attendants. In cargo role it can carry 5x pallets of size 2.24×2.74m or 03 light vehicles. It also has six external hard points, three under each wing for carrying armaments if required. The required take off distance is under 3000 ft at Sea level and landing run of under 1500 ft.
The Indian Force has ordered 56 of these aircrafts for replacing the vintage Arvo HS 748s. Six additional aircrafts will go the Coast Guard. Within 48 months of signing the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain, and TATA Consortium will produce 46 aircraft in India within ten years. This is the first time in which a commercial company will produce a military aircraft in India.
According to the government, the project will enhance India’s aerospace ecosystem by involving various MSMEs from throughout the country in the production of aeroplane parts. The program will help to create 600 high-skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3000 medium-skilled job prospects.
The project will help reduce defence import dependency while simultaneously increasing exports. Hopefully SARAS Mk2 project too goes into production at the earliest to fill up the light segment.
