New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Security Council has approved the purchase of 56 C-295 MV passenger aircraft for the Indian Air Force from a Spanish-based private company. For the first time in the country, the construction of Air Force aircraft is being outsourced to a private company. These will replace the Avro aircraft currently in the possession of the Air Force. The aircraft was developed in 1997 by the Spanish company Casa.
It is estimated to cost between Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 21,000 crore. But it will depend on the exchange rate, sources said. Within 48 months of the signing, 16 of the 56 aircraft will be fully operational in Spain. The remaining 40 will be manufactured by Tata Consortium in India within 10 years. The C-295 aircraft are state-of-the-art passenger aircraft with a storage capacity of 5 to 10 tons.
The project is expected to create a number of aviation jobs in the country. “This will give impetus to India’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in the defense sector,” the government said in a statement.
In addition to Spain, the C-295 is currently used by Egypt, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Portugal. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS, said the Air Force would receive 350 aircraft over the next 20 years. Bhadauria said.
English Summary: IAF gets Centre’s nod to procure 56 transport aircraft; 40 to be manufactured in India
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