Aviation

Airbus delivers first C295 to India

The Indian Air Force (IAF) received its first C-295 transport plane on Wednesday during a ceremony in Seville, Spain. The aircraft may carry out unique missions such as disaster relief and marine patrol.

“The IAF has placed an order for 56 aircraft.” The aircraft is also required by the Coast Guard, the Home Ministry, and, in the future, the Indian Navy. “The numbers could easily exceed 56,” Chaudhari said from Spain.

Airbus, a multinational aircraft maker, built the aircraft for India at its Seville factory.

“The first aircraft was delivered 10 days ahead of schedule,” the IAF chief stated after receiving the plane’s symbolic keys from Airbus.

The Indian Air Force has inked a deal for a total of 56 C-295 aircraft, with 16 of them being manufactured in Spain and the remaining 40 to be built as part of a joint venture between Tata and Airbus at their facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The C-295 is a versatile transport plane with a cargo capacity ranging from 5 to 10 tonnes. It is intended to replace the aging Avro aircraft in the IAF’s fleet and boasts advanced technology features. Notably, the aircraft is equipped with a rear ramp door, facilitating rapid cargo and troop para-dropping operations.

The C-295 is a twin-turboprop aircraft that can fly great distances with fully equipped personnel while also having the ability to land on tiny airstrips. To improve its capabilities in the operational zones, the IAF says all 56 aircraft would be equipped with a native Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS).

According to the agreement, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft in “flyaway” condition from Spain within 48 months of the contract’s signature, and the Tata consortium would produce the 40 additional aircraft in India over the course of the next ten years. This represents a groundbreaking initiative, as it marks the first time a private firm in India will be responsible for producing military aircraft.

This move aligns with the Indian government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,” providing a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter the highly technical and competitive aviation industry. It’s anticipated that this initiative will bolster domestic aircraft production, reducing dependence on imports and potentially leading to increased exports in the future. This development is a significant step forward in India’s quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.