Airbus Defence and Space has announced that the first C295 built for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed its maiden flight. The aircraft took to the air for the first time on May 5 in Seville, Spain and landed after a three-hour flight.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head - Military Air Systems, Airbus Defence and Space, said the first flight represented a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme. “With the Indian Air Force set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world, this programme exemplifies our commitment to improving the Indian Air Force (IAF) operational capabilities,” he added.
The IAF inked an order with Airbus Defence and Space for 56 C295 aircraft in September 2021. The new transport aircraft will replace the obsolete HS-748 ‘Avro transport aircraft.
The first 16 aircraft will be assembled in Seville, Spain, and delivered to the customer in ‘fly-away’ condition. Tata Advanced Systems will manufacture the remaining 40 aircraft in India.
Airbus Defence and Space has received 280 orders from 39 operators for the C295 programme.
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