Vadodara: Induction of C-295 aircraft in the Indian Air Force will significantly improve the defense system. The aircraft, which is being built in collaboration with Spain’s Airbus Defense and Space, is capable of multiple tasks. It can perform tasks ranging from military transport to cargo transportation and sea transportation. The use of AN-32 aircraft from Soviet Antonov and Avro-748 aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will be discontinued. The aircraft can travel at a maximum speed of 482 km per hour. It can carry up to 9 tonnes of material or 71 soldiers or 48 paratroopers. It can drop materials from the air where needed.
So far, the Indian Air Force has received 5 C-295 aircraft. The first C-295 aircraft arrived in India in September 2023. However, its first aircraft in India is expected to start production in September 2026. Other flights are likely to be available by August 2031. The establishment of the factory will create 3,000 direct jobs and over 15,000 indirect jobs. It takes more than 1 million hours of labor to build an airplane. This will increase the demand for skilled workers.