CCS gives nod to 2 mega IAF projects worth over ₹30,000 crores | 6 AEWC & 56 C-295 aircraft approved

Source: ANI

In a big push to Make in India initiative, the Government of India has reportedly cleared two mega projects for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which includes induction of 6 new made-in-India airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and 56 C-295 aircraft, forty of which are to be built in India by Airbus in collaboration with Tata.

The 6 AEW&C aircraft that have been given a go-ahead by the Cabinet Committee on Security, would be built on the Airbus 319 aircraft, to be provided by the state-owned Air India, reports news agency ANI.

The government of India had stated earlier in the day that the Avro replacement project, which will be manufactured under the Make in India scheme, had been approved.

According to ANI, the 6 proposed AEW&C aircraft to be built by the DRDO will further enhance the Indian Air Force's surveillance capabilities along borders with troublesome neighbours China and Pakistan.

The DRDO will develop the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft as part of ₹11,000 crore project.

The 6 aircraft would be modified to fly with radar, which would provide the defence forces with 360-degree surveillance capacity.

The effort to build the AEW&C system on current Air India aircraft may also imply that India would not purchase the six Airbus 330 cargo planes it had intended to buy from the European corporation before.

The C-295 plane agreement was essential since the IAF has 56 Avro transport planes that are needed to be replaced immediately. Within 48 months of signing the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain.

The plane would be capable of hauling five to ten tonnes of cargo and would fill the gap between An-32s and C-130Js.