Home/The Atlas/Military Aerospace/Airbus C-295
medium tactical transport · in_production

Airbus C-295

FAL in India (L1+). Major Indian Tier-1 suppliers qualified for structural sub-assemblies. Engine, avionics, FADEC, and primary mission computer remain imported (L0). India is the second C-295 FAL location globally after Seville.

Specifications
9.25 t payload2,200 km range480 km/h cruise30,000 ft ceiling2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop, 2,645 shp each6-blade Ratier-Figeac 568F-5 composite propeller (FH386 is the A400M propeller)
Maker: Airbus Defence and Space (Spain)
Indian partner: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) · Indian industrial prime; operator of the Vadodara Final Assembly Line
Country of origin: Spain / European Union
Role: Tactical airlift, troop transport, cargo, paradrop, MEDEVAC, maritime patrol (C-295 MPA variant)
Range: Ferry range approximately 5,000 km with auxiliary tanks; tactical range approximately 1,100 km with 9 t payload.
Payload: Maximum payload 9,250 kg; up to 71 troops or 24 stretchers + medical crew.
Why it matters for India

Replacement for the IAF's ageing HS-748 (HAL Avro) fleet. 56-aircraft contract signed 8 Sep 2021 (PIB PRID 1757634; Cabinet approval PRID 1753260). The largest committed Western military transport-aircraft industrial programme in India. Anchor for the first Western military transport FAL in India.

Indian production status

FAL established at Vadodara, Gujarat. First 16 aircraft delivered from Seville (Spain). Remaining 40 to be assembled in India. First India-built aircraft expected Sep 2026; final delivery projected 2031.

Localization depth · 16 systems
  • PW127G turboprop engineL0 · Imported
    PW127G imported as complete engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada. No Indian manufacture. Engine depot MRO not yet established in India.
  • FADEC / Electronic Engine ControlL0 · Imported
    Indian industry does not design or manufacture transport-engine FADEC. Strategic gap shared across all Indian transport platforms.
  • Ratier-Figeac 568F-5 6-blade composite propellerL0 · Imported
    Ratier-Figeac 568F-5 imported complete. Indian composite manufacturing capacity at TASL / TLMAL is adjacent but not configured for propeller manufacture.
  • Centre, forward, aft fuselage; cargo ramp and doorL1 · Final assembly in India
    TASL Vadodara FAL assembles the fuselage from Indian-supplied structural sub-assemblies and Airbus-supplied major components. Dynamatic's documented flap-track role is on the A320/A330 family, not the C-295.
  • Wing box (spars, ribs, skins); fuel-integral tanksL2 · Component manufacturing
    The C-295 wing primary structure (spars, ribs, skins) is currently imported from Airbus Spain. A Dynamatic flap-track role on the C-295 is not confirmed (Dynamatic's documented flap-track role is the A320/A330 family).
  • Vertical and horizontal stabilisers, rudder, elevatorsL0 · ImportedIndicative
    No public disclosure of Indian empennage manufacturing for C-295. The TLMAL Hyderabad model on C-130J empennage is the precedent.
  • INS/GNSS integrated navigation systemL0 · Imported
    Honeywell INS imported complete. BEL has adjacent nav-system integration capability but is not qualified as primary INS supplier for C-295.
  • Mission tactical computer, glass cockpit displays, FMSL0 · Imported
    Airbus Topdeck mission system imported complete. BEL has built mission computers for LCA / Su-30 / Jaguar; not publicly qualified on C-295.
  • V/UHF radios, HF radio, SATCOM, IFFL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Standard Collins comms suite imported. BEL manufactures SDRs for IAF — Indian substitution on IAF-spec C-295 is plausible but not publicly committed.
  • Retractable tricycle landing gear; multi-disc brakes; anti-skidL0 · Imported
    Safran Landing Systems supplies complete landing gear. Indian Tier-2 capability (Aequs, Dynamatic) for non-primary structural components exists; programme qualification on C-295 not disclosed.
  • Pumps, accumulators, reservoirs, valvesL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Parker Hannifin supplies hydraulic system. L&T Defence and Godrej Aerospace have adjacent Indian hydraulic capability; programme qualification on C-295 not disclosed.
  • IDG, APU generator, battery, RATL0 · Imported
    Hamilton Sundstrand / Collins supplies IDG and electrical system. Indian battery and harness capability exists; programme qualification on C-295 not disclosed.
  • Air cycle machine, cabin pressurisation, air distributionL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Honeywell supplies the ECS. Godrej Aerospace has supplied ECS sub-components to ISRO launch vehicles; adjacent Indian capability is real.
  • Honeywell APS 2600-class auxiliary power unitL0 · Imported
    Honeywell APU imported complete. No Indian APU manufacturing capability for transport aircraft.
  • Rollers, locks, rails, winch, cargo rampL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Telair supplies the cargo handling system. Indian cargo-handling system manufacturing exists for the C-130 platform via specialist suppliers; not qualified on C-295.
  • RWR, chaff/flare dispensers, MAWSL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Standard self-protection fit not publicly specified. BEL has built indigenous RWR (Tarang family) on Su-30, MiG-29, Tejas — Indian substitution on IAF-spec C-295 is plausible.
Import dependencies · 11
System architecture · 18 records
  • Propulsion → Engine → Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engineimported
    Primary propulsion — generates thrust and shaft power for propeller rotation
  • Propulsion → Engine Control → Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) — EEC / ECUimported
    Digital control of fuel flow, propeller pitch, and engine scheduling across all flight phases
  • Propulsion → Propeller → Ratier-Figeac 568F-5 6-blade composite propellerimported
    Converts engine shaft power to thrust; provides ground maneuvering and reverse thrust
  • Propulsion → Fuel System → Fuel tanks, fuel pumps, fuel management computer, fuel jettisonimportedIndicative
    Stores, manages, and supplies fuel to the engines; manages centre-of-gravity
  • Avionics → Navigation → INS/GNSS integrated navigation system; TACAN; VOR/ILS; ADFimported
    Provides accurate aircraft position, attitude, and velocity to the mission computer and displays
  • Avionics → Mission System → Mission tactical computer (MTC), glass cockpit displays (5 × 5-inch AMLCD), FMSimported
    Integrates mission planning, navigation, communication, and tactical mission data; provides primary flight and navigation displays
  • Avionics → Communications → V/UHF radios, HF radio, SATCOM, IFF transponder, cryptographicimportedIndicative
    Air-to-air, air-to-ground, beyond-line-of-sight comms; identifies friend-or-foe
  • Flight Controls → Primary Flight Control → Aileron, elevator, rudder control; hydro-mechanical with electronic yaw damperimported
    Provides pilot control of aircraft attitude and trajectory
  • Landing Gear → Landing Gear → Retractable tricycle landing gear; main gear with multi-disc brakes and anti-skidimported
    Supports aircraft on ground, absorbs landing loads, enables ground maneuvering
  • Hydraulics → Hydraulic Power → Two independent hydraulic systems; engine-driven pumps; accumulators; hydraulic reservoirimportedIndicative
    Provides hydraulic power for flight controls, landing gear, brakes, and cargo door operation
  • Electrical → Electrical Power → Engine-driven generators (IDG); APU generator; battery; RAT (ram air turbine)imported
    Generates and distributes electrical power for avionics, lighting, environmental, and mission systems
  • Environmental Control → Air Conditioning & Pressurisation → Air cycle machine; cabin pressurisation; air distribution; cargo bay heatingimportedIndicative
    Maintains habitable cabin temperature and pressure for crew, troops, and cargo
  • Auxiliary Power → APU → Honeywell APS 2600 (or similar) auxiliary power unitimported
    Provides autonomous ground power and engine-start pneumatic supply; emergency electrical backup
  • Airframe Structure → Wing → Wing box (spars, ribs, skins); fuel-integral tanks; wing-fuselage attachmentjoint-production
    Generates lift; carries fuel and primary bending loads
  • Airframe Structure → Fuselage → Centre fuselage, forward fuselage, aft fuselage, cargo ramp and doorassembled-in-india
    Carries crew, troops, cargo; integrates wing, empennage, and landing gear
  • Airframe Structure → Empennage → Vertical stabiliser, horizontal stabiliser, rudder, elevatorsimportedIndicative
    Provides directional and pitch stability and control
  • Cargo Handling → Cargo Loading System → Rollers, locks, rails, winch, cargo rampimportedIndicative
    Loads, secures, and airdrops cargo and pallets
  • Self-Protection → Defensive Aids → Radar warning receiver (RWR); chaff/flare dispensers; missile approach warner (MAWS)importedIndicative
    Detects threats and dispenses countermeasures
Programme milestones · 9
  • 2008-06-01Requirement identified — Avro HS-748 replacementdelivered
  • 2013-05-29Request for Proposal (RFP) issueddelivered
  • 2015-07-01Indian industrial partner selected — TASLdelivered
  • 2021-09-08Contract signature — 56 aircraft, FAL at Vadodaradelivered
  • 2022-10-30Vadodara FAL groundbreakingdelivered
  • 2023-09-13First aircraft delivered (ex-Seville, Spain)delivered
  • 2024-11-01Vadodara FAL construction completeddelivered
  • 2026-09-01First India-built C-295 rolloutplanned
  • 2031-08-01Final aircraft delivery (56 of 56)planned
MRO · 2
  • Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) — Vadodara FAL (planned MRO capability)Vadodara, Gujarat · Planned — C-295 deliveries started (Sep 2023, first aircraft ex-Spain). Depot MRO capability to be developed over the next 5-7 years.
    Planned depot MRO capability for the C-295 fleet; line maintenance support; component repair
  • P&WC (potential India-based PW127G engine MRO partnership)TBD · Not established in India — PW127G engine MRO performed abroad.Indicative
    Planned engine MRO for the PW127G engine; currently sent to P&WC facilities abroad for depot-level work
Sources · 5
← Back to the Military Aerospace Atlas