India Boosts Defense: IAF, Navy and Coast Guard to Get 71 Advanced C-295MW Aircraft

India replaces aging Avro fleet with 56 C-295MWs for IAF, plus 15 marine versions for Navy/Coast Guard. Tata-Airbus manufactures 40 locally. Capable of 11-hour flights, 70 troops, and short-runway ops, enhancing two-front war readiness.

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is rapidly carrying out preparations to increase its combat capabilities in view of the possibility of a two-front war. In this process, old aircraft are being replaced with new and modern aircraft in a phased manner. First of all, the Avro transport aircraft that have been in service since the 1960s are being removed and replaced by C-295MW Medium Lift Tactical Aircraft, which is technically more capable and modern.

Will strengthen Navy too

While earlier C-295MWs were being ordered only for the Air Force, now the process of purchasing these aircraft has been started for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard as well. Its marine version is also being introduced. For this, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on 13 March 2024.

The plan was given the necessary approval (AON) in a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on March 15, 2024. A total of 15 C-295MW marine version aircraft will be purchased, of which 9 will be given to the Navy and 6 to the Coast Guard. The last date for its commercial bids has been fixed as December 2025.

Indian Air Force to get 56 C-295MW aircrafts

As far as the Indian Air Force is concerned, the Government of India had signed an agreement to purchase a total of 56 C-295MW aircraft from Spain in 2021. Of these, 16 aircraft are being brought to India from Spain in full build condition, of which 15 have been received by the Air Force so far.

The remaining 40 aircraft are being manufactured in Vadodara, Gujarat, where the foundation stone of this project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. It is being manufactured in India in partnership with Tata Consortium and Airbus, and this is the first time a private Indian company is manufacturing military aircraft in the country.

Strength of C-295MW

Talking about the capabilities of the C-295MW, this aircraft can carry 5 to 10 tons of cargo, and about 70 soldiers or 50 paratroopers can travel with full combat equipment. Paradrop operations can be easily carried out with the help of its rear ramp door.

This aircraft is capable of flying at low altitude and is ideal for tactical missions. It is designed to take off from a runway of just 670 meters and land on a 320-meter runway, which allows it to operate easily in areas adjacent to the China border. This aircraft can fly for about 11 hours at a speed of 480 km per hour.

It is also fitted with an indigenously developed electronic warfare system, which provides it additional protection in case of war. Apart from this, during medical evacuation missions, it can also be used to bring injured soldiers safely by installing 24 stretchers.

Overall, the C-295MW aircraft can prove to be a game changer for all three armies of India and will give new heights to the strategic power of the country in the coming years.