Big News: Cabinet nod for procurement of 56 C-295 MW transport aircraft for IAF

• Cabinet clears decks for the procurement of Airbus' 56 C-295 MW military transport aircraft for the IAF
• 40 of these transport aircrafts will be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems & Airbus
• Pending for a long time, the decision is being seen as an enormous milestone for the private sector in aerospace manufacture

New Delhi: Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given its approval for the procurement of 56 nos C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain for the Indian Air Force on Wednesday. "16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the signing of the contract and 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by Tata consortium within 10 years of the signing of the contract", said an official statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

"This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. All 56 aircraft will be installed with the indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite", it added.

First of a kind project

C-295 MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

"The project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft," the Ministry statement said.

Also, the programme will provide a major boost to the `Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' of the government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Private Sector to enter into a technology-intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry. The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and an expected increase in exports.

A milestone for the private sector in aerospace manufacturing

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aerostructure are scheduled to be manufactured in India. The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man-hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India. It will involve the development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiways. During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes will gain and maintain globally recognized National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation.

Before completion of deliveries, the 'D' Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295 MW transport aircraft are scheduled to be set up in India. It is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft. 

In addition, the OEM will also discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and Services from Indian Offset Partners giving a further boost to the economy.

This programme is a unique initiative of the government to strengthen indigenous capabilities and boost 'Make in India.'

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