An official from the European aircraft manufacturer announced that India is set to receive its inaugural Airbus C-295 tactical military transport aircraft later this month. Remi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India, shared this during a press conference.Maillards remarks came in the context of Airbus establishing a memorandum of understanding with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to provide aviation sector engineering training.A representative from Airbus revealed that Air Marshal V. R. Chaudhari, the Chief of the Indian Air Force, will travel to Seville, Spain, to take possession of the first C-295 aircraft.In September 2021, India entered into an agreement with Airbus for the supply of 56 C-295 military transport aircraft. According to the terms of the agreement, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, in collaboration with Airbus, will manufacture 40 aircraft at their facility in Vadodara. Airbus will deliver the remaining 16 aircraft from its Spanish facility.Unmatched power of C-295The C-295, with a capacity of 5–10 tons, is utilized for the tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistical operations in locations that are inaccessible to heavier aircraft. It also boasts the proven ability to operate from short or unprepared airstrips. Maillard added that aircraft production in India is scheduled to commence in 2026.
