IAF'S C-295 FIXED-WING TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT TO BE MANUFACTURED IN GUJARAT BY TATA-AIRBUS; IAF TO BECOME ITS LARGEST OPERATOR

Ajay Kumar, the defence secretary, disclosed information on Thursday regarding the C-295 fixed-wing aircraft's Gujarat manufacturing. Tata-Airbus will produce the C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force at Vadodara, Gujarat. According to a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, PM Modi will officially lay the foundation for the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara on October 30.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and European aerospace/defence major Airbus signed an agreement for the purchase of 56 C-295 aircraft for a staggering Rs 22000 crore. Tatas and Airbus teamed on the deal.

Deal was referred to be a "new ecosystem in the defence sector" by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar. The majority of the aircraft's parts will be manufactured domestically. The defence secretary also mentioned that MSMEs producing parts would receive authorization to trade in the west. The same will involve 125 MSMEs.

Gujarat will become the site of the aircraft production line. The first 16 of the 56 aircraft are expected to be delivered by Airbus in a flayway state over the course of the following four years, per the deal that was signed between the MoD and the OEM. The remaining items will be produced by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), the company's defence division, in India with technology transfer (ToT) taking place at the Gujarat site.

"Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara in Gujarat would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports," Ajay Kumar noted.

Officials from the defence ministry further stated that 96% of the work done by Airbus at its facility in Spain would be completed at the facility in India. Public sector BEL would create the aircraft's electronic warfare suite.

Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh of the IAF voiced his belief that the IAF would eventually hold the title of the C-295 transport aircraft's largest operator.

There is no import restriction. Everything that can be built in India will be constructed here, according to policy. The promotion of products made in India for the Defence Forces is active. Operational readiness is not compromised, and it is foremost in our thoughts , said Ajay Kumar, the Defence Secretary.

Once incorporated, the C-295 fleet would gradually replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ageing Avro fleet. The day when Gujarat would manufacture aeroplanes is not far off, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the state on October 9 ahead of upcoming elections. Modi had added during the inauguration of development projects in the state, “Earlier, we were unable to make even cycles in Gujarat; now we are making cars and the days are not far when we will make aircraft in the state,”

Additionally, reports indicated that the PMO is monitoring the project. The aircraft's manufacturing could start around 2025. The project is anticipated to provide employment and investment, which might be a huge boost for Gujarat, which is close to holding elections. Prior to opening its C-295 manufacturing facility in India, Airbus claimed it will create 10,000 indirect jobs and 15,000 skilled ones.

The project is also seen as a significant step toward Make in India, the government's main initiative. It should be mentioned that the aircraft will have an electronic warfare (EW) suite made in India.