In A First, Army Aircraft To Be Manufactured By Private Company In India

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New Delhi: The Cabinet committee on security on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from a Spain-based private firm to improve the arsenal of Indian Air Force..

According to Ministry of Defence, 16 aircraft will be delivered from Spain within 48 months of contract signing, while 40 more aircraft will be manufactured in India by Tata Consortium within 10 years.

It’s a first-of-its-kind project, with military aircraft being manufactured in India by a private company.

“C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo,” a government release stated.

All 56 aircraft will have an indigenous countermeasure system (Electronic Warfare Suite) installed.

C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology.

“The project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft. It will also provide a major boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Private Sector to enter into a technology-intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry,” said the statement.

According to Ministry of Defence, the deal to manufacture detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies in India will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem.

“It is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man-hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India,” the release added.