First C-295 transport aircraft of IAF lands at Vadodara airbase

The first C-295 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force landed at Air Force Station, Vadodara, on Wednesday. The aircraft was flown by Group Captain PS Negi and landed today after taking off from Bahrain, news agency ANI reported quoting IAF officials.

The aircraft would be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a ceremony scheduled on September 25 at the Hindan airbase near Delhi. A total of 56 aircraft would be inducted into the IAF & 40 of them would be manufactured in India by Tata-Airbus joint venture, IAF officials further said.

The first C-295 transport plane was officially handed over to the IAF during a ceremony held in Seville, Spain, last week. This versatile aircraft has the capability to perform various missions, including special operations, disaster response, and maritime patrol duties.




During the ceremony in Seville, the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, had said that the IAF is on track to become the largest operator of the C-295 aircraft. He highlighted, "The IAF order is for 56 aircraft. There is also a requirement for the aircraft by Coast Guard, Home Ministry, and in the future by the Indian Navy also. The numbers may go well beyond 56."