Transport Aircraft for IAF

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Apr 2023 19:43

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 38977?s=20 ---> The first Airbus C-295 for India - engine run and roll out. Nice new images from @AirbusPRESS and @AirbusDefence.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Apr 2023 19:48

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 45189?s=20 ---> Just too beautiful. The C-295 in IAF colours

The plastic wraps are off to reveal the "Avro replacement" that has been stretching for 2 decades.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Apr 2023 21:00

Click on link below for VIDEOS.

https://twitter.com/AirbusDefence/statu ... 30948?s=20 ---> #BehindTheScenes of the first C-295 for India being painted in our paint shop in Seville.

https://twitter.com/NewsIADN/status/164 ... 65281?s=20 ---> First C-295 for Indian Air Force out from the paint shop.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 May 2023 22:44

https://twitter.com/DefenceChamber/stat ... 95240?s=20 ---> Training of IAF pilots on the C-295 has been commenced! No. 11 Squadron will be the first squadron to operate the type!

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 57410?s=20 ---> Training for IAF pilots commences on C295MW aircraft at Airbus International Training Centre Seville, Spain.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 12 May 2023 06:24

https://twitter.com/BharatShaktiBSI/sta ... 07782?s=20 ---> In pictures: The first C-295 for India successfully completed its maiden flight. The tactical aircraft took off from Seville, Spain, on 05 May 2023 at 11:45 local time (GMT+1) and landed at 14:45 after 3 hours of flight.

https://twitter.com/BharatShaktiBSI/sta ... 60161?s=20 ---> India acquired 56 C-295 aircraft in September 2021. The first 16 aircraft will be assembled in Seville & delivered in ‘fly-away’ condition.

https://twitter.com/BharatShaktiBSI/sta ... 36129?s=20 ---> The following 40 aircraft will be manufactured & assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the 2 companies.

Photos: @AirbusDefence

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 12 May 2023 06:28

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 72833?s=20 ---> First C-295 for India completes its maiden flight at Seville, Spain.

https://twitter.com/zone5aviation/statu ... 00768?s=20 ---> Some nice images of the first IAF C-295 flight from @AirbusDefence. Tarang RWR fitted on winglets and aft fuselage. MAWS mounts look empty. Unknown sensor (?) on MLG sponsons.

https://twitter.com/zone5aviation/statu ... 72928?s=20 ---> *Dhruti/R118, not Tarang.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 12 May 2023 06:29

India’s first C-295 takes to air in Spain, IAF team to leave for training soon
https://theprint.in/defence/indias-firs ... n/1562252/
08 May 2023

The first ‘made-in-India’ C-295 will be rolled out in 2026 and the entire order is slated to be completed by 2031, at the rate of eight aircraft per year.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 12 May 2023 07:28

Is the IAF thinking about replacing the AN 32 with the proposed new Air lifter they are planning to procure. Or will additional orders have to be placed for the C295.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 12 May 2023 07:33

I don't know about AN-32 replacement, but more C-295s are coming for the services.

Get ready for the next Airbus product i.e. A400M. Depending on how the symbiotic C-295 relationship works out, the A400M will likely find itself in pole position to win a future tactical transport contract.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 12 Jul 2023 22:23

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/167 ... 53056?s=20 ---> First Indian C295 coming along nicely!

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Jul 2023 20:14

https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/16 ... 75077?s=20 ---> First batch of Indian C-295 pilots complete training in Seville, Spain. Meanwhile, the ground breaking ceremony of the C-295 training facility in Agra happened recently. Will be ready by late next year. Detailed reports on the Made-in-India Tata/Airbus C-295 program soon on @IndiaToday.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Jul 2023 19:20

https://twitter.com/Resonant_News/statu ... 13120?s=20 ---> The Hyderabad-based facility of the TATA Group in collaboration with Airbus has begun the manufacturing of the C-295 transport aircraft that will replace the ageing Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force. Also, the initial set of six pilots have finished their training in Spain and the first lot of aircraft engineers of the IAF are now being trained to carry out maintenance of the aircraft that will be stationed at 10 operating bases - The Print.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Jul 2023 20:25

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/168 ... 12001?s=20 ---> Alongside the first Made-in-India C295 (Aircraft No.17) beginning production in Hyderabad, here’s a first look at C295 No.2 for the Indian Air Force taking shape at the @AirbusDefence line in Seville, Spain. We have a detailed report coming up from on site on the build program.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Jul 2023 20:27

First C295 aircraft for Indian Air Force in sight, programme shifts into top gear
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i ... 2023-07-19
19 July 2023

The Indian Air Force will receive its first C295 military transport aircraft in September, the first of 16 that will be built by Airbus.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Jul 2023 20:41

C-295 Aircraft: सितंबर में इंडियन एयरफोर्स को मिलेगा पहला C-295 विमान, जानिए क्या है प्लान?
https://www.aajtak.in/science/story/ind ... 2023-07-19
19 July 2023

English translation of the above article below...

C-295 Aircraft: Indian Airforce will get the first C-295 aircraft in September, know what is the plan?
https://www-aajtak-in.translate.goog/sc ... 2023-07-19
19 July 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Jul 2023 20:45

Waah Re Waah

*85% fleet availability as per PBL agreement
*Additional orders for Navy and Coast Guard are in the pipeline
*BSF also looking at acquiring the C-295

India begins manufacturing C-295 aircraft for IAF, more orders to be placed
https://theprint.in/defence/india-begin ... d/1676661/
19 July 2023

India also in talks with Airbus to set up maintenance, repair & overhaul hub for C-295 aircraft, which are operated by a number of countries, including UAE, Philippines, Thailand.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 20 Jul 2023 07:04

Rakesh wrote: ↑19 Jul 2023 20:45 ...

*85% fleet availability as per PBL agreement
..

Good

*BSF also looking at acquiring the C-295
...

very good... I do wish the BSF also ask for Apaches... and get the Prachands

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 20 Jul 2023 07:58

If the procurement is anything to go by. The IAF transport fleet is going to get extremely capable. The AN 32 needs to be replaced as well.

It's quite possible that the IAF orders alone will exceed over a 100 units.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 20 Jul 2023 08:25

Pratyush wrote: ↑20 Jul 2023 07:58 If the procurement is anything to go by. The IAF transport fleet is going to get extremely capable. The AN 32 needs to be replaced as well.

It's quite possible that the IAF orders alone will exceed over a 100 units.

Hari Om. May your words come true.. and soon

We have ordered commercial (civilian) airliners in the thousands. Let the military transports come in the hundreds.

We anyway (also) use them to evacuate civilians from god-forsaken places being torn apart by wars

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 20 Jul 2023 19:12

https://twitter.com/manupubby/status/16 ... 43776?s=20 ---> C-295 India Factory for Main Parts to Go Live This Month. First Spain-made military transport plane to be delivered in September. India-made C-295 to roll out from final assembly line at Vadodara in 2026. India to manufacture about 14,000 parts.

Avinandan · Post by **Avinandan** » 22 Jul 2023 00:10

Long back Indranil had suggested to convert Avros to mini tankers such that each fighter squadron could have couple of them , which would be a tremendous force multiplier.

Do we see any merit in this in 2023 and does HAL have the capability to covert them ?

SRajesh · Post by **SRajesh** » 22 Jul 2023 01:51

^^ found this piece of Zee news
How accurate is this
And which passenger are they planning to convert
News> Aviation
HAL to convert Passenger aircraft to Multi Mission Tanker Transport in India
Per news agreements with Israel

Avik · Post by **Avik** » 22 Jul 2023 03:10

unlike the case of a converted freighter, the CG of a tanker changes mid-flight, multiple times. That impacts the load and balance. The Flight Control System needs to update itself mid-flight. The OEMs have access to the FCS. Unauthorized third party converters will not have access. Hence, usually, tankers are procured from OEMs or authorized mod/conversion houses.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 22 Jul 2023 08:08

Avinandan wrote: ↑22 Jul 2023 00:10 Long back Indranil had suggested to convert Avros to mini tankers such that each fighter squadron could have couple of them , which would be a tremendous force multiplier.

Do we see any merit in this in 2023 and does HAL have the capability to covert them ?

The biggest limitation with the AVRO is the top speed of the aircraft along with the payload.

It might be able to extend the reach of a 4 ship formation of LCA by another 200 kms. The IAF has to do the calculation and ask if that is sufficient for it's operational needs.

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 22 Jul 2023 16:01

^^ agree Pratyush..

For the Avro airframe to be a useful asset in combat, it needs to have digital links and coordination tools to be managed in the battlefield. However, if it lacks these capabilities, it should be retired. Upgrading to newer assets will lead to higher uptimes and better safety tools for the crew. The IAF can also manage the battlefield a whole lot better.

The C295Ws can probably fully refuel up to four Tejas aircraft.

Additionally, the pallet-based system enables the aircraft to adapt to various roles upon landing, potentially allowing it to perform multiple missions.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 22 Jul 2023 18:06

Would much prefer A320, 737 to used in Freight, Awacs, Tanker, Maritime patrol roles, we are already manufacturing, setting up plants for much of the parts engines for these.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 24 Jul 2023 00:13

India's C-295 Production Kicks Off In Hyderabad; To Achieve Self-Sufficiency By 30th Airframe, Says Airbus Chief
https://swarajyamag.com/defence/indias- ... to-acheive
19 July 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 24 Jul 2023 00:13

Airbus Offers A400M For Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft
https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/airb ... t-aircraft
23 July 2023

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 24 Jul 2023 03:25

Rakesh wrote: ↑24 Jul 2023 00:13 Airbus Offers A400M For Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft
https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/airb ... t-aircraft
23 July 2023

Great! That makes perfect sense. However, we haven't been able to make any progress on our design due to a lack of will or desire. It might be a good idea to import what we need instead. We'll require between 20-40 of these items. Unfortunately, the C17 is no longer available, and the C2 has only one customer, resulting in a high lifecycle cost. We have a good relationship with Airbus, so let's work on producing A400M locally and establish a FACO line for A321. We can build on the success of C295W, which could potentially receive orders of up to 120 when the AN32 type is retired.

This option is a great fit between the Il-76 and the C130J, which is the next best alternative. Therefore, it's possible that the future will involve C295W + A400M + C17. Everything else will be retired within the next 15 years.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Aug 2023 19:37

Airbus to deliver 1st C-295 aircraft to IAF on September 13
https://www.realtimeindia.in/airbus-to- ... ews-india/
17 August 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Aug 2023 17:40

As India’s medium transport aircraft deal gets rolling, IAF has a tough decision to make
https://theprint.in/defence/as-indias-m ... e/1737740/
30 August 2023

Lockheed Martin, Embraer & Airbus in contention for Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme. IAF is looking to procure 40-80 aircraft to replace old AN-32s & possibly IL-76s.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Sep 2023 20:44

Indian Air Force Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) deal: 3 Transporters in the fray
https://wagenclub.com/2023/09/indian-ai ... c-390.html
03 September 2023

Airbus A400M Atlas, Lockheed Martin C-130, and Embraer C-390 Millennium are the three contenders for Indian Air Force (IAF)’s latest hunt for a versatile medium-duty transport aircraft.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 11 Sep 2023 06:38

Indian Air Force to Receive First C-295 Transport Plane in Spain
https://bnn.network/breaking-news/india ... -in-spain/
10 September 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 11 Sep 2023 06:39

IAF Chief visiting Spain to receive first C-295 transport plane for India
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 558129.cms
10 Sept 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Sep 2023 18:48

https://x.com/livefist/status/1701926143413342657?s=20 ---> The IAF's first @AirbusDefence C-295 delivered in Seville today.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Sep 2023 18:51

More pictures in the link below. See how Airbus "strategically" placed a A-400M transport right next to the first C-295 for the IAF. The A-400M is in contention for the IAF's latest transport competition. Gives a good idea of size dimensions vis-à-vis the C-295.

https://x.com/BharatShaktiBSI/status/17 ... 52077?s=20 ---> In pictures | @IAF_MCC receives its 1st C-295 transport aircraft.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Sep 2023 20:35

CA 7101 is the first serial number.

Airbus delivers first C295 to India
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/pres ... 5-to-india
13 Sept 2023

https://x.com/AirbusDefence/status/1701 ... 86097?s=20 ---> Today, Airbus handed over the first C-295 for India in a fly-away condition. It comes in transport configuration, equipped with an Indian Electronic Warfare Suite and will replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Avro HS-748 fleet. In the next few days, a joint IAF-Airbus crew will fly the aircraft from Seville to Delhi.

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 14 Sep 2023 01:17

Both planes look gorgeous! I hope the EU is working super hard to ensure they get the deal! I hope they offer the A400M for IAF and the A321 for civilian stuff to be made in India. Getting both will take our aerospace industry into a different league, even if it's screwdrivergiri.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 18 Sep 2023 21:10

C-295 - Enhancing the IAF's Airlift Capability

- Here's an analysis on the induction of C-295 into the IAF.
- While the use case for C-295 is that it is a replacement for HS-748 Avro, in reality, looking at its specifications and capabilities, it actually adds to IAF's light transport and airlift capabilities.
- It is in the same league as the venerable An-32 but a more modern and capable aircraft.
- When the full induction happens, we'd have increased our light transport capabilities by 50% in terms of a/c.
- If you compute on the basis of payload capacity (C-295>An-32) or troop and paratroopers carrying potential (again, C-295>An-32), the increment is much more.
---
Plus, not to forget that C-295 can form the common platform across the three Services for various requirements starting with Maritime Patrol Aircraft for IN and the ICG.
----

Video Link:

* MODS: I could not link the video using the YT tabs; please do the needful if you can.
* Please share your feedback and comments.

drnayar · Post by **drnayar** » 18 Sep 2023 22:15

Wonder how the IAF is looking to expand its airlift capabilities., are they looking at

C 295 -> 7 to 9 tons ;
C 130J -> ~ 19 tons
IL 76 -> 60 tons

God knows how long the IL 76 can soldier on with parts availability in question !

A400 -> 47 tons payload does not look like the optimum replacement ? , given the cost and payload capability IAF would need more numbers of a significantly lesser capable aircraft compared to IL 76

What aircraft would fill in the higher end strategic lift capability for the IAF ?