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.

The first tests were conducted using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) today announces it has successfully completed the first tests of its UltraFan technology demonstrator at its facility in Derby, UK. The first tests were conducted using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Rolls-Royce UltraFan technology ready to test(Opens in a new browser tab)

This is a historic moment for Rolls-Royce – it’s the first time in 54 years the aero-engine manufacturer has tested a brand-new engine architecture and is proof of what can be achieved when industry and Governments work together.

Confirming the capability of the suite of technologies incorporated in the demonstrator is a big step towards improving the efficiency of current and future aero-engines. UltraFan delivers a 10% efficiency improvement over the Trent XWB, which is already the world’s most efficient large aero engine in service.

10 Facts about the Tempest 6th gen fighter jet(Opens in a new browser tab)

In the nearer term, there are options to transfer technologies from the UltraFan development program to current Trent engines, providing our customers with even greater availability, reliability, and efficiency.

Rolls-Royce reaches new milestone building world’s largest aero-engine(Opens in a new browser tab)

In the longer term, UltraFan’s scalable technology from ~25,000-110,000lb thrust offers the potential to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft anticipated in the 2030s.