In Pictures: Airbus Unveils Breathtaking Images Of IAF's C-295 Ahead Of Delivery In September

As the delivery date of the Indian Air Force C-295 approaches, Airbus Defence Spain has unveiled breathtaking pictures of the C-295M tactical transport aircraft.

According to Vayu Aerospace, the transport aircraft seems to be undergoing release/jettison trials of flares.

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.

Earlier on 8 May, Airbus released a video of the aircraft taking off from the runway.

The first lot of pilots of IAF have already started training on the aircraft and it is expected to be delivered to the Indian Air Force by the end of September.

A month (8 April) before this, Airbus released yet another footage of C-295 rolling out from the paint shop in Seville, Spain.

The C-295 is a tactical transport aircraft capable of lifting 6 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.