The new aircraft is being prepared for testing and is set to replace the outdated Avro 748.
India has completed the assembly of its first C-295 military transport aircraft intended for the country's Air Force. The aircraft is already being prepared for its first test flight, the Indian Air Force reported.
The production of the aircraft is being carried out under a joint program between the Indian company Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the European aerospace corporation Airbus.
The Ministry of Defense described the event as an "important step" in the development of national aerospace manufacturing and strengthening the country's technological self-sufficiency. The presentation was initially planned for September, but the work was completed earlier.
The program includes the delivery of 56 C-295 aircraft. Of these, 16 have already been manufactured at the Airbus factory in Spain, while another 40 are being assembled directly in the Indian city of Vadodara. The last of the previously delivered aircraft was handed over in August 2025.
The new C-295s are gradually replacing the outdated fleet of Avro 748 transport aircraft, a significant portion of which is still in service. The Air Force plans to complete the re-equipping by 2031.
The C-295 aircraft, developed in the 1990s, can reach speeds of up to 482 km/h, carry up to 9.3 tons of cargo, and fly distances of up to 1300 kilometers. It can also operate from unpaved runways, making it suitable for military operations in challenging conditions.
In the editorial's view, the launch of C-295 assembly in India demonstrates the country's desire to reduce dependence on foreign military imports and develop its own high-tech manufacturing. For New Delhi, this project is not only an update of the aircraft fleet but also an important step towards strengthening its status as one of the leading aviation powers in Asia.
