Nearly 240 engineers to be trained at Airbus facility in Spain
After completion of delivery of 56 made-in-India aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), Airbus Defence & Space will be allowed to sell the India-manufactured aircraft to civil operators and export to countries which are cleared by the Indian Government.
Airbus and a consortium of Tata Group are working on a Rs.21,935 crore contract for manufacturing and delivering 56 aircraft. The contract was signed in September 2021.
The first delivery of 16 aircraft in a flyaway condition is scheduled between September 2023 and August 2025, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar said on 27 Oct 2022.
Further, 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL. The consortium is the Indian Aircraft Contractor.
The first Made in India aircraft is expected from September 2026.
Nearly 240 engineers will be trained at Airbus facility in Spain.
This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well, he told a press conference in New Delhi.
Elaborating on the mega contract, the Defence Ministry said that 96% of the total man hour work per aircraft that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility at Spain will be undertaken in India by the TATA Consortium.
The contract follows approval given by Cabinet Committee on Security on 8 Sept 2021 for the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain.
On 24 Sept 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space S.A. for acquisition of the aircraft with associated equipment.
Manufacturing of over 13,400 Detail Parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the seven Major Component Assemblies will be undertaken in India, along with tools, jigs and testers, said the Ministry.
Various systems such as engines, landing gear, avionics, EW suite etc. will be provided by Airbus Defence & Space and integrated on the aircraft by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be tested as an integrated system by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be flight tested and delivered through a Delivery Centre at the TATA Consortium facility.
All 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous Electronic Warfare suite of Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
The TATA Consortium has identified more than 125 in-country MSME suppliers spread over seven states. This will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India.
The total project offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation manufacturing, resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports, said the Ministry.
C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF, explained the Ministry in a release.
The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features. The aircraft will strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF. fiinews.com
