Navy and Coast Guard Set to Induct Made-in-India C295 Transport Aircraft

The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are expected to place orders for the indigenously produced C295 transport aircraft, following the Indian Air Force’s ongoing induction of the platform.

The move follows the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the maritime variant of the C295MW earlier this year, with procurement processes already underway. A total of 15 aircraft are being planned, including nine for the Navy and six for the Coast Guard, as part of a broader strategy to modernise the country’s tactical airlift fleet. The commercial bids for this acquisition are slated to be submitted by December 2025.

Strengthening Maritime Airlift Capability

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the maritime C295 aircraft in March 2024. Once finalised, this procurement will significantly enhance the operational readiness of India’s maritime forces, enabling rapid deployment, search and rescue, and logistical missions across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The aircraft’s ability to take off and land on short, improvised airstrips makes it ideal for coastal and island operations, which is a critical requirement for both the Navy and the ICG.

IAF Already Flying the C295

The Indian Air Force, which signed a deal in 2021 to acquire 56 C295MW aircraft in collaboration with Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), has already inducted 15 flyaway units from Spain. These aircraft are replacing the ageing Avro fleet and are part of a larger modernisation push. The remaining 40 aircraft are being manufactured in India at a dedicated facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking the first time an Indian private company has built military aircraft domestically.

The first Made-in-India C295 is expected to be delivered to the IAF by late 2026, reinforcing India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) defence production goals.

Versatile and Tactical

The C295 is a medium-lift tactical aircraft capable of transporting up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers, with a maximum payload capacity of 10 tonnes. Equipped with a rear ramp door, the aircraft can perform air drops, medical evacuations (with 24 stretcher configurations), and low-level tactical flights.

It can operate on short and unprepared runways, taking off in just 670 meters and landing within 320 meters, a feature particularly valuable for forward-area deployments and disaster response.

With a maximum endurance of 11 hours and a cruising speed of 480 km/h, the C295 is suitable for extended maritime patrols and surveillance operations. Indigenous electronic warfare systems further enhance its survivability in contested environments.

Future Outlook

The Indian military is preparing for potential two-front conflict scenarios, and the modernisation of its tactical transport fleet is a key part of that preparation. While the IAF’s larger platforms, such as the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules, remain operational, legacy aircraft like the AN-32 and IL-76 are approaching the end of their service lives. The C295 will serve as a crucial link in the transition toward a more agile and self-reliant aerial force.

With the Navy and Coast Guard now joining the C295 program, the aircraft is poised to become a common tactical transport platform across all three services, improving interoperability and logistics efficiency in future joint operations.

Huma Siddiqui