The Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft could see an expanded requirement from India’s armed forces. Apart from the Airbus-Tata venture that will build 56 of the type to replace the Indian Air Force’s Avro HS748 transports, the Indian Coast Guard’s added requirement of six aircraft (for a multimission maritime aircraft or MMMA being conceived by the DRDO, a programme scooped first here on Livefist three years ago), it is now increasingly likely that the total DRDO-Coast Guard requirement could be up to 19 aircraft — 13 more aircraft than the Coast Guard has projected a requirement for.
Sources say the DR
DO is keen that an options clause for three additional aircraft and a follow-on order for 10 more aircraft be processed shortly after systems and flight trials on the MMMA as part of a first phase. The DRDO has of course opened channels with the Indian Navy to see if it’ll come on board for at least a handful of aircraft. In the wake of the abortive medium range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) effort, the DRDO sees an opportunity to push inductions as a lead integrator. While the C295 and maritime patrol radar will be supplied, the DRDO will have its hands full with every other system on such a platform — many of them being tested on the DRDO-Embraer AEW&C platform that aims to enter service with the IAF in the next 18 months.
An overall projection of 75 aircraft puts the C295 in a strong inventory position in the IAF’s somewhat muddled tactical transport space. Livefist can confirm that the force is very happy with its upgraded An-32 transports, though even Antonov believes there’s enough of a splash for new opportunities in the space. Expanded duties that range from special operations to humanitarian relief to pollution surveillance and fighting fires means the field remains open at several different levels.
Excellent experience with the U.S. built C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercs aside, the IAF is still in the process of doctrinally reconfiguring its air logistical manual, keeping in view variable availability rates, the new tonnage and turnaround flexibility afforded by the new U.S types and the impending expansion of the light lift capability. Throw in India’s commitment to the somewhat troubled HAL-UAC Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA), and the message is clear: there are still requirements out there.
UAC IL 214 is 20 tonnage class and Airbus C295 is 10 tonnage class ……… So how can one replace the another?
Read closely. That’s a separate tonnage entirely. The C295 is of a class closer to the An-32. The mention of the MTA is to talk of upheaval in the 20-ton plans too.
IAF’s transport wing has always had workhorses. We should grab the opportunity to get it assembled in india . Navy should also look at replacing Dorniers with this planes.
If possible there should be a civil variant, we need. Not import such planes for airlines.
This aircraft can also be used for anti-submarine warfare. I am surprised that DRDO is not working with the manufacturers to offer this to our Navy. I cant see how the Navy can carry out Anti-submarine patrols with just 8 P8I
The IN has 12 P8Is, not 8. Eight (8) are based out of Arakkonam on the Eastern seaboard and the remianing four (4) operating out of INS Hansa on the Western seafront. The procurement for 6 more P8Is are being resurrected as we speak. These plus the 10 MQ9s that are in the pipeline should suffice for the Maritime reconnaisance/anti-sub warfare requirement that we currently have. The bigger number of C-295s will be procured ( possibly another 100 units) to replace the uprgraded AN-32s when the time comes to retire them around 2030-2032.
Hi Shiv. Any idea on the progress of this program?