NewsGate Press Network
By Vineet Dikshit
Indian Air Force (IAF) is getting worlds best military cargo aircraft that can operate from non-conventional airstrips while working as air borne canon gun-ships.
The aircraft, made by European M/s Airbus Defence and Space SA, is C-295MW Military Cargo and is a specific variant tailored for IAF’s needs.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of Union Cabinet which met on 8 September 2021 gave approval for procurement of 56 C-295MW.
C-295MW aircraft is a twin engine transport aircraft with a carrying capacity of 10 tons and 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 advantage of Airbus’s C-295 military cargo aircraft is that it can operate from rugged air fields.
Its short take-off and landing capability makes it ideal to be deployed almost from anywhere along the National Highways.
India is perhaps the eight country to acquire C-295 military aircraft.
Sixteen aircraft will be delivered to IAF in flyaway condition 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.
According to a defence ministry release, all fifty six aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft, the release said.
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