India has formalised the acquisition of 56 C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet. It is the first "Make in India" aerospace programme in the private sector, involving the full development of a complete industrial ecosystem: from the manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.

Under the contractual agreement, the company will deliver the first 16 aircraft in "fly-away" condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain. The subsequent 40 airplanes will be manufactured and assembled by the Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

The first 16 planes will be delivered over four years after the contract implementation. All the IAF C-295s will be handed over in transport configuration and equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

"Make in India" is at the heart of Airbus strategy in India, with the company constantly increasing the country’s contribution to its global product portfolio.

With a capability of operating from short or unprepared airstrips, the model is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft. It can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation (medevac), as demonstrated during the COVID-19 crisis, using either basic litters or mobile Intensive Care Units (ICU) with life support equipment. 

The aircraft can perform special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

The IAF becomes the 35th operator worldwide, with the programme reaching 278 units, 200 of which are already in operation and have booked more than half a million flight-hours.