Airbus Defence Delivers Second C295 To Indian Air Force, First Made-In-India Aircraft To Roll Out In September 2026

Airbus Defence has delivered the second C295 to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The first C295 aircraft was delivered to the IAF in September 2023. 

India formalised the acquisition of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace the IAF's legacy AVRO fleet in September 2021.

Under the contractual agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain.

The remaining 40 are going to be produced by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in the C295 Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Earlier this year, Airbus Defence got the approval from the Indian regulatory authority to produce detailed parts and sub-assemblies in India.

The first ‘Make in India’ C295 is scheduled to roll out of the Vadodara plant in September 2026.

The C295 is a tactical transport aircraft capable of lifting 6 tonne — 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.

It has been designed to provide low-level flight characteristics for tactical missions, flying at speeds down to 110 knots.

The aircraft can land on and take off from short, unprepared airstrips not accessible to heavier transport aircraft.

This feature which makes it useful for operations from advanced landing grounds along India’s China frontier.