C-295: India’s First Privately Built Military Aircraft; Discover What Makes It Unique!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugrated Tata Advanced Systems' new facility in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 28. This is India’s first private factory for building military aircraft, where the country’s first privately made C-295 aircraft will be produced.

PM Modi highlighted the importance of the new facility, saying, “This factory will boost India-Spain relations and support the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission.”

Why the Name C-295?

The name "C-295" is significant—"C" stands for CASA, the original manufacturer, "2" refers to its two engines, and "95" signifies a 9.5-ton payload capacity.

Special Features of the C-295 Aircraft

Check the special features of the C-295 Aircraft that is going to be manufactured in India’s first private Aircraft factory:

• Lightweight and Low Maintenance: The aircraft is designed to be light and cost-effective. The C-295 reduces maintenance and operating costs, making it easy to maintain and use by the Indian Air Force. This design ensures it has the highest availability in its category.
• Multi-Role Flexibility: The C-295 is a highly adaptable and tactical airlifter that can handle many important tasks for the military, including logistics, rescue, and support missions, proving its versatility and reliability in various situations.
• Enhanced Engine Performance: Equipped with a powerful Pratt and Whitney Canada PW100 engine generating 2,645 horsepower, a new propeller, and a redesigned wing, the C-295 delivers better performance than its predecessors.
• Proven Combat Capability: The C-295 has shown its effectiveness in long-term deployments of up to two years, handling up to 100 flight hours per month in tough environments like Chad, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
• High Reliability: Known for its high reliability, the C-295 achieves availability rates above 95% even in challenging deployments. For example, the Spanish Air Force operated two C-295s in Chad during an 11-month mission, each flying around 160 hours per month.
• Refueling Capacity: The aircraft can offload up to 6 tons of fuel, allowing it to refuel other rotary or fixed-wing aircraft. This makes the aircraft an asset for the Indian Air Force during wartime.
• Extended Range and Tanker Option: With a fuel probe and air-to-air refueling kit, the C-295 can extend its range and even function as a tanker to refuel other C-295s or helicopters in mid-air.

As per the agreement, Airbus will directly deliver 16 of the 56 military aircraft that will be manufactured. The remaining 40 aircraft will be constructed at Tata Advanced Systems' Vadodara facility in India.