Airbus hands over last Spain-built C295 to IAF, India to build 40

In a significant milestone, Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus, has delivered the 16th and final C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) from its final assembly line (FAL) in Seville, Spain, under the initial contract for 56 aircraft.

In September 2021, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth approximately $2.5 billion with Airbus Defence and Space, Spain, for the acquisition of 56 C295 transport aircraft for the IAF.

The purpose of the deal was to replace the ageing AVRO fleet of the IAF, and it was signed under India’s ‘Make in India’ programme.

Under the agreement, Airbus was to deliver the first 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, while the remaining 40 will now be manufactured and assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

In October last year, TASL and Airbus inaugurated the FAL complex for the C295 aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. The remaining 40 C295 aircraft will now be manufactured and assembled at the Vadodara FAL under the partnership between Airbus and TASL.

Airbus had announced last year that the first C295 will roll out of the Vadodara FAL in September 2026, with production ramping up to deliver all 40 aircraft to the IAF by August 2031, as stipulated in the contract.

Notably, Airbus is sourcing raw materials and manufacturing up to 13,000 detailed parts at three main locations: Nagpur, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. These parts are then assembled into larger components at the Main Component Assembly (MCA) site in Hyderabad before being shipped to the FAL in Vadodara.

India has emerged as the largest customer of the Airbus C295, with 56 aircraft ordered for the IAF, of which 16 have already been delivered. Reports suggest that the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are also set to induct the type, with a combined order of 15 C295 aircraft, nine for the Navy and six planned for the Coast Guard.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the maritime variant was issued in March this year, and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has since granted Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement.

The C295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft primarily designed for military operations. It can carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and is capable of operating in locations inaccessible to larger transport aircraft. The platform can perform airdrop missions for troops and supplies and can also be configured for casualty evacuation or medical evacuation (medevac) roles.

The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines and offers a combination of manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency, enabling an endurance of up to 13 hours. It has a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots and can operate at altitudes of up to 30,000 ft while maintaining excellent low-level flight performance. The C295 also features short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, allowing operations from unpaved, soft, or sandy/grass airstrips.

The biggest strength of the C295 lies in its versatility and adaptability, extending far beyond the role of a military transporter. The aircraft is operated worldwide in multiple configurations, serving missions such as maritime patrol, surveillance, and even aerial firefighting. It can also be configured as a strategic aerial refueller for air forces. Today, the C295 is in service with several operators across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.