In what would give a major boost to its capabilities to maintain logistical support to troops guarding the border with China, India, for the first time, will manufacture state-of-the-art C-295 transport planes, which would also be the first instance of production outside Europe. The Indian Air Force will procure 56 of these aircraft manufactured under a joint venture between global conglomerates Airbus and Tata. The private sector manufacturing military aircraft for India is another first.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the aircraft factory in Vadodara, Gujarat, on October 30 for the project worth `21,935 crore. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and captains of Indian industry will be present on the occasion, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said here on Thursday.
This project will give a major push to the local aerospace industry and self-reliance in this niche sector as the C-295s manufactured here will have nearly 96 per cent indigenous content.
These planes will replace the ageing Avro transport fleet of the IAF and enhance the capabilities to maintain logistical support to troops guarding the border with China. The versatile and fuel-efficient aircraft can land and take-off from semi-prepared airstrips in remote areas in high altitude areas in Ladakh and advanced landing grounds in the north-east, he said.
Moreover, the C-295, used by many countries in Asia and Europe, can carry 10 tonnes of equipment and 40 to 45 paratroopers. Also, it can be used for inserting commandos through para drop behind enemy lines thereby increasing the operational capabilities of the armed forces.
As per the contract inked in September last year, IAF will get 16 planes off the shelf from Airbus while Tata will manufacture the remaining aircraft at the Vadodara plant.
While the 16 aircraft in flyaway condition will join the IAF by 2025, the supply of indigenously made planes will commence from 2026 and end in 2030.
Giving details of the venture, the Defence Secretary said it will change the entire ecosystem of aerospace industry in the country and help in Atmanirbhar effort.
Highlighting the effort on self-reliance, he said the entire electronic warfare suite of these planes will be manufactured by the public sector Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company, Kumar said adding the C-295 can also be used for civilian purposes.
The TATA Consortium has identified more than 125 in-country MSME suppliers spread over seven States. This 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. Nearly 240 engineers will be trained at the Airbus facility in Spain.
The Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS) on September eight last year
approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from
Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain. On September 24 the same year, Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Airbus.
The Defence Secretary said the project offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and
expected increase in exports. He also said this project will unleash ease of doing business in the country.
Also, 96% of the total man hour work per aircraft that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility at Spain will be undertaken in India by Tata.
Manufacturing of over 13,400 detail parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the seven major component assemblies will be undertaken in India, along with tools, jigs and testers, Kumar said.
