India finally orders new medium-lift transports
India will order 56 C295W transport aircraft, most of which will be assembled locally. (Airbus)
In a procurement that has dragged on for nearly a decade, India has passed another hurdle in the process of renewing its transport aircraft fleet.
At long last, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security – the country’s final decision-making body relating to military expenditure – has approved the procurement of 56 Airbus C295W medium-lift transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
They will replace a geriatric fleet of more than 50 HS748 Avro aircraft.
No monetary figure was publicised by the government, for the trilateral Airbus-Tata Group-IAF deal is yet to be signed. However, it is expected to be in the order of $2.5 billion.
According to a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau on 8 September, the first 16 aircraft will
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