Spain-made C-295 aircraft has become a part of the Indian Air Force. For this, a ceremony was held at Agra Air Force Station on Jan 30. High officials of the Air Force participated in it. Earlier this program was to be held on January 28, in which Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was also to come, but due to some reason the ceremony was postponed.

The newly inducted C-295, a state-of-the-art military transport aircraft, was formally added to a flying squadron of the Central Air Command during a ceremony at the Air Force Station in Agra. The event showcased a striking fly-past, with the C-295 flanked by two Su-30s in formation, and was attended by several civil and military dignitaries.

Antonov-32 or AN-32 aircraft were inducted into the Air Force 40 years ago for military transport and disaster relief. The Agra Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force was made the base station for AN-32 aircraft. Now the new generation advanced C-295 aircraft manufactured in Spain are becoming a part of the Indian Air Force.

C-295 is a highly advanced aircraft made in Spain. India will buy 56 aircraft. 16 aircraft are being made in Spain, the remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured at Tata’s Vadodara campus. Every year a fleet of 12 aircraft will be added to the Air Force. These will be used in military transport, medical evacuation, disaster relief, paradropping. The aircraft can carry 71 paratroopers at a time. For this, training of pilots was started three months ago. They have been trained for technical shift, paradropping, paratrooping, medical evacuation, disaster relief.

The induction of the C-295 aircraft will significantly enhance air operations capabilities in the region , the Indian Defence Ministry said. The aircraft has a long flight range, effective payload capacity, multifunctionality, modern onboard equipment and self-defense systems, which will allow it to be optimally used to perform military tasks, including operations along the country’s northern border . In addition, the C-295 will be used to train paratroops and special forces, enabling realistic exercises and rapid response to potential threats both at the border and within the country.

In the year 1984-85, Antonov-32 aircraft were purchased from Ukraine of the then Soviet Union. These aircraft were used for military transport. The Indian Air Force had purchased 125 aircraft, out of which only about 100 are in service now. 40 years after the purchase of these aircraft, now the fleet of C-295 aircraft manufactured in Seville, Spain is joining the Indian Air Force. A ceremony is being held at Agra Air Force Station on Tuesday, in which these aircraft will be included. Spanish company Airbus has signed an agreement with Tata.