Watch: India's First C-295 Takes Off For Its Maiden Flight In Spain

The Indian Air Force (IAF) first C-295M transporter aircraft has completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Defence facility at Seville in Spain.

The Airbus Defence Spain has released a video of the aircraft taking-off from the runway. The Airbus C-295M is a tactical transport aircraft manufactured by the Airbus Defence, Spain.

Earlier (on April 18), Airbus Defence has released another video of the C-295M rolling out from the paint shop in Seville, Spain.

According to a report, the first lot of pilots will also start training next month and the first aircraft will be delivered by the end of September, this year.

India, in September 2021, has signed a deal with Airbus to buy 56 C-295M transport aircraft worth $2.5 billion. These 56 aircraft will replace the IAF's ageing Avro HS748 transport aircraft.

Of the 56 C-295s, first 16 will be built by Airbus Defence and Space at its facility in Seville in southern Spain and will be delivered within 48 months of signing the contract.

The remaining 40 aircraft will be built at the new Tata-Airbus facility at Vadodara. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this facility at Vadodara in October 2022.

The C-295 is a tactical transport aircraft capable of lifting 6 tonnes — it can carry five cargo pallets or 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. The rear ramp door of the aircraft can be used for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.

The aircraft can land on and take off from short, unprepared airstrips not accessible to heavier transport aircraft, a feature which will allow the aircraft to land and take-off from the advanced landing grounds along the India-China border.