C295 Aircraft: India's First Private Military Aircraft Plant

Strategic Military Advancement:

• India's first private military transport aircraft facility inaugurated in Vadodara, Gujarat
• Joint inauguration by PM Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez at Tata Advanced Systems Limited
• C-295 aircraft to replace aging Soviet Antonov An-32 and Avro 748 fleet
• Aircraft features include 482 kmph cruise speed, capacity for 71 soldiers or 9 tons cargo
• Versatile capabilities: medical evacuation, maritime patrol, cargo dropping, and refueling
• Can operate from short, unpaved runways, crucial for LAC operations

Manufacturing and Economic Impact:

• Total order of 56 C-295 aircraft worth Rs 21,935 crore
• First 16 aircraft to be delivered from Spain; 40 to be manufactured in India
• Project to create 3,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs
• First India-made C-295 expected by September 2026
• Complete delivery scheduled by August 2031
• Facility to make India the largest C-295 operator globally
• Promotes growth of ancillary sectors and component manufacturing

Make in India Initiative and Future Prospects:

• Marks significant milestone in 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives
• Training center establishment at Air Force Station in Agra
• Stick Holding Depot planned in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
• Future potential for civil aircraft manufacturing and exports
• Strengthens India-Spain bilateral relations
• Positions India in global aerospace market
• Aircraft name significance: 'C' for CASA, '2' for twin engines, '95' for 9.5-ton payload

Technical Specifications and Features:

• Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 engine (2,645 horsepower)
• High reliability with 95% availability rate
• Successfully tested in challenging environments like Chad, Iraq, and Afghanistan
• Advanced features include air-to-air refueling capability
• Can offload up to 6 tons of fuel
• Low maintenance and operating costs
• Redesigned wing for enhanced performance