Seville In collaboration with European aviation major Airbus, the Hyderabad-based facility of the TATA Group has initiated the production of the C-295 transport aircraft. These aircraft are set to replace the aging Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Additionally, a group of six pilots has successfully completed their training in Spain, while the first batch of aircraft engineers from the IAF is currently undergoing training. Their training aims to equip them with the necessary skills to effectively conduct maintenance operations on the aircraft, which will be stationed at 10 operating bases.
To ensure optimal performance and availability of the fleet, the IAF has signed a five-year Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) agreement with Airbus. This agreement mandates that Airbus maintains a minimum of 85 percent availability for the fleet at any given time. Consequently, 85 percent of the aircraft must be operationally ready, minimizing instances of servicing or waiting for spare parts.
The IAF has already placed an order for 56 C-295 aircraft, each capable of carrying up to 9 tonnes of cargo. Furthermore, Airbus officials have confirmed ongoing discussions with TATA regarding potential procurement of up to 15 additional aircraft for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. Out of these, nine will be specifically deployed for maritime surveillance purposes.
Moreover, reliable sources within the defense and security establishment have revealed that the Border Security Force (BSF), which also operates Avro aircraft, is exploring the possibility of procuring C-295 aircraft. Additionally, one of the security agencies is considering utilizing these aircraft for technical surveillance operations.
It is worth noting that the TATA Group may explore opportunities to market the C-295 aircraft to other nations.
