Indian Airforce Get 56 C-295 Airbus Transport Aircraft in Make in India deal

The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the long pending Procurement nearly USD 3 billion-deal for procuring 56 Airbus C-295MW transport aircraft for the Indian AirForce (IAF). The aircraft will replace the ageing IAF fleet of Avro 748 transport aircraft that first flew in 1961.

In first of this, 16 aircraft being delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract. 

The remaining 48 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the TATA Consortium within 10 years of signing the contract.

This is the first defence contract the European firm Airbus has signed with India since the 1960s despite being in the country for over five decades.

It is also the first project in India in which a military aircraft will be manufactured by a private company.

All 56 aircraft will be installed with the indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. 

The C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed by the Spanish company CASA in the 1990s as a development of the CASA-Nurtanio CN-235. When CASA was incorporated into the European aeronautical group EADS in 2000, the aircraft was designated as the EADS CASA C-295. It made its first flight on 28 November 1997.

The C-295 is manufactured and assembled in the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in San Pablo Airport, located in Seville, Spain. It is a development of the Spanish–Indonesian transport aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235, but with a stretched fuselage, 50% more payload capability and new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines.

Key Features:-

Crew: 2

Capacity: 73 troops / 48 paratroops / 12 stretcher intensive care medevac / 27 stretcher medevac with 4 medical attendants

Maximum payload: 7,050 kg (15,543 lb) normal

9,250 kg (20,393 lb) overload

Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg (46,297 lb) normal

23,200 kg (51,147 lb) overload

Maximum landing weight: 20,700 kg (45,636 lb) normal

23,200 kg (51,147 lb) overload

Engines:- 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, 1,972 kW (2,644 hp) each for take-off (normal)

2,177 kW (2,919 hp) with APR

Propellers: 6-bladed Hamilton Sundstrand HS-586F-5, 3.94 m (12 ft 11 in) diameter composite propellers with auto-feathering and synchro-phasing

Others :-

Cruise speed: 482 km/h (300 mph, 260 kn) at optimum altitude

Range: 1,555 km (966 mi) normal payload

Ferry range: 5,000 km (3,100 mi) 

Service ceiling: 4,125 m (13,533 ft) on one engine

Absolute ceiling: 9,145 m (30,003 ft)

g limits: +2.53 (normal MTOW)

+2.25 (overload MTOW)

Take-off run: 844 m (2,769 ft) Sea level, ISA

934 m (3,064 ft) Sea level, ISA + 20

Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 1,025 m (3,363 ft) Sea level, ISA

1,103 m (3,619 ft) Sea level, ISA + 20

Landing run: 420 m (1,378 ft)

Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 729 m (2,392 ft)

Weapons & Armament:-

6 Hardpoints (optional: three under each wing) with a capacity of inboard pylons 800 kg (1,764 lb), centre pylons 500 kg (1,102 lb), outboard pylons 300 kg (661 lb)

Radar:-

Honeywell RDR-1400C weather radar

IFR instrumentation, comms and FMS as specified by customers

However, it is yet unclear where the Airbus aircraft will be built, though TATA has an aviation set up in Hyderabad.

Before completion of deliveries, ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be set up in India and it is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft, the defence ministry said.

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India. The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium-skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India,” the defence ministry said.

“It will involve development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes, will gain and maintain globally recognized National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation,”.

                           Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳

CDS VISITS FORWARD AREAS IN CENTRAL SECTOR AND HQ WESTERN COMMAND OF INDIAN ARMY

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat visited forward areas along the Line of Actual Control(LOC) in the Central Sector in Himachal Pradesh along with GOC, Uttar Bharat Area today. On arrival at the forward most post in Sumdoh Sub-Sector, the CDS was briefed on the operational preparedness of own forces towards safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation. The CDS interacted extensively with the Indian Army, ITBP and GREF personnel deployed in the remote areas and appreciated their state of high morale. He encouraged all ranks to keep up the high state of alertness and professionalism displayed by them.  
 

General Bipin Rawat visited the Headquarters of Western Command of Indian Army at Chandimandir where he reviewed the operational situation along the Western borders. The CDS commended the formation for their efforts to ensure force preservation and at the same time stepping forward to provide support in terms of establishing COVID hospitals at Chandigarh, Patiala, Faridabad, providing paramedical staff in aid of civil hospitals, assistance in vaccination of common citizens and revitalizing oxygen plants at various places in the nation’s fight against the pandemic. He stressed upon the need to focus on training hard and remain vigilant to thwart the nefarious designs of our adversaries. He emphasized that all ranks must keep themselves abreast with latest trends in information technology, emerging cyber threats and counter measures.

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                                                      JAI HIND!!!

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Meets with Veterans in Leh during visit to Ladakh...

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacted with 300 veterans, including Ashok Chakra winner Naib Subedar (Honorary) Chhering Mutup (Retd) and Maha Vir Chakra winner Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), at Leh, Ladakh on June 27, 2021. In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the unparalleled dedication of the veterans in ensuring safety and security of the nation, reiterating the Government’s commitment towards the welfare of the ex-servicemen. He said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s decision to roll out ‘One Rank One Pension’ scheme, ending a decades long wait, was a testimony to the Government’s unwavering commitment towards the welfare and satisfaction of the veterans. “Our aim is to take care of you in the same way as you all have taken care of the security of the country,”.

Lt Governor of Ladakh Shri RK Mathur, MP from Ladakh Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen YK Joshi were present on the occasion. 

Later, Shri Rajnath Singh met the elected representatives of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Leh, Kargil and officials in Leh. 

Earlier in the day, the Raksha Mantri reached Leh on a three-day visit to Ladakh. During his stay, he will inaugurate infrastructure projects constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and interact with troops deployed in the region.

INS TABAR Deployed to Africa, Europe to Participate in Joint Exercise With Friendly Navies...

Towards enhancing military cooperation with friendly nations, Indian Naval Ship INS Tabar commenced her prolonged deployment on 13 June and will visit a number of ports in Africa and Europe till end September. During port visits, Tabar will conduct professional, social and sporting interactions. The ship will also participate in a number of joint exercises with friendly navies.

During the deployment, INS Tabar will transit across the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and Baltic Sea while making port calls at Djibouti, Egypt, Italy, France, UK, Russia, Netherlands, Morocco, and Arctic Council  countries like Sweden and Norway. In addition to PASSEX with host navies of countries being visited, the ship is also scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises like Ex Konkan with Royal Navy, Ex Varuna with  French Navy and Ex Indra with Russian Federation Navy. 

The deployment will also see participation by the ship in the Russian Navy Day celebrations from 22 to 27 July.  

The ship will operate in conjunction with the friendly navies, so as to build military relations, develop interoperability and project long range sustenance. IN undertakes regular overseas deployments particularly in the maritime areas of primary interest. These engagements are aimed to further strengthen maritime security in the region and to consolidate combined operations against maritime threats. These interactions will also offer an opportunity to navies to observe and imbibe the ‘Best Practices’ followed in each other’s Navy. 

INS Tabar, is a Talwar-class stealth Frigate built for Indian Navy in Russia. The ship is commanded by Captain M Mahesh and has a complement of 300 personnel. The ship is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under Western Naval Command.

DRDO successfully test New Agni P Ballistic Missile...

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully flight tested a New Generation Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Agni P from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore at 1055 hrs on June 28, 2021. Various telemetry and radar stations positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile. The missile followed text book trajectory, meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy. 

Agni P is a new generation advanced variant of Agni class of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 kms.

Defence Ministry orders light-specialist vehicles from Mahindra Defence for Army...

Providing further boost to ‘Make in India’, Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL) for supply of 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles to the Indian Army, at a cost of Rs 1,056 crore, in New Delhi on March 22, 2021. The induction of vehicles is planned to be completed in four years.

The Light Specialist Vehicle is a modern fighting vehicle and will be authorised to various fighting units for carriage of Medium Machine Guns, Automatic Grenade Launchers as well as Anti-tank Guided Missiles.

The Mahindra Armored Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) is a light armoured specialist vehicle built for use by military and defence forces. It’s designed to be a modular type vehicle allowing for efficient maintenance and it can be upgraded or configured in the field for a wide variety of operational roles. The ALSV offers ballistic protection up to B7, STANAG Level II.

Features :-

Counter-Terrorist Operations

Patrolling in High Intensity Areas

Special Forces Operations

Quick Reaction Teams

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Conventional Operations

Weapon carrier

Raids in Open/ Desert Terrain

Reconnaissance

Border Security

 The Light Specialist Vehicle is indigenously designed and developed by MDSL. These combat vehicles are extremely agile with all round protection against small arms fire and will assist small independent detachments which are required to operate this weapon platform in the operational area.

 This is a flagship project showcasing the indigenous manufacturing capabilities of the defence industry and will add another milestone to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative.