In an effort to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities to transport personnel and equipment, the Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS)on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain. The deal is worth over Rs 17,000 crores.
Giving details here, officials said 16 aircraft will be procured off-the-shelf within 48 months of signing of the contract and 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of signing of the contract.
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 indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several medium and small enterprises(MSME) spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft.
This plane is capable of airlifting five to ten tons and fitted with latest technology will replace the ageing Avro planes now in service since 1960s. The new aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and parachute dropping of troops and cargo.
The manufacturing programme will provide major boost to the Rs Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Private Sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry. The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.
A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure 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 development of specialised infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. 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 recognised National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation.