India’s government has approved the purchase of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for the air force to replace the aging Avro 748. Sixteen of the Airbus Defence and Space aircraft will come in flyaway condition within 48 months while the other 40 will be built in within ten years by the TATA consortium.
A government statement revealed that the aircraft will feature a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Its capacity will increase from the existing 6-ton capacity to 10-ton carrying capacity which will greatly improve the operation ability of the Air force.
Additionally, the project will both be economically beneficial as well as for the nation’s aerospace defense. A maintenance repair and operation servicing facility for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be set up in India before the completion of the delivery. It is projected that the facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft.
