First Batch Of C-295 Pilots Completes Training At Spain, Ahead Of Its Delivery In September

The first batch of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots has completed their initial training at the Airbus manufacturing facility at Seville, Spain.

This comes just a week after Airbus released breathtaking images of the IAF's first C-295 undergoing flare release/jettison trials.

In April this year, the IAF's first C-295 was rolled out from the paint shop. It completed its maiden flight on 8 May, and the footage of the aircraft taking off from the runway was released by the Airbus.

The aircraft is estimated to be delivered to the IAF by the end of September.

According to Shiv Aroor of India Today, the first batch of IAF pilots has completed their training at Airbus training facility at Seville and a ground-breaking ceremony of the C-295 training facility at Agra was also conducted, which will be ready by late next year.

India, in September 2021, signed a deal with Airbus to buy 56 C-295M transport aircraft worth $2.5 billion. These 56 aircraft will replace the IAF's ageing Avro HS748 transport aircraft.

Of the 56 C-295s, first 16 will be built by Airbus Defence and Space at its facility in Seville, in southern Spain, and will be delivered within 48 months of signing the contract.

The remaining 40 aircraft will be built at the new Tata-Airbus facility at Vadodara. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this facility at Vadodara in October 2022.

The C-295 is a tactical transport aircraft capable of lifting six tonnes — it can carry five cargo pallets or 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. The rear ramp door of the aircraft can be used for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.

The aircraft can land on and take off from short, unprepared airstrips not accessible to heavier transport aircraft, a feature which will allow the aircraft to land and take off from the advanced landing grounds along the India-China border.