Make-In-India: Airbus C295 Programme Receives Indian Regulator’s Approval For Production Of Parts, Assemblies

Marking a milestone in the ‘Make-in-India’ C295 programme, the Airbus Defence and Space’s quality management system for the C295 aircraft, has received approval from the Indian regulatory authority to produce detailed parts and sub-assemblies in India.

As per the approval of the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), the certificate for which, was formally handed over on 12 February 2024, Airbus Defence and Space is working with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to produce detailed parts and sub-assemblies at various locations in India.

The certificate of approval was presented by Sanjay Chawla, director general of DGAQA, to Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, and Masood Hussainy, head, aerostructures and aeroengines, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, at the C295 main components assembly facility in Hyderabad.

This is a significant step for a comprehensive quality assurance roadmap agreed between Airbus Defence and Space and DGAQA for the C295 ‘Make-in-India’ programme, in close collaboration with TASL.

India formalised the acquisition of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet, in September 2021. Under the contractual agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain.

The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by TASL in India, as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

The first C295 aircraft was delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2023. The certification is part of the programme, which involves the full development of a complete industrial ecosystem: from the production of detailed parts to assembly, test, delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.