Ghaziabad: India’s first C-295 transport aircraft was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force on Monday, September 25, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Hindon Airbase in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad.
The induction marks a significant moment in India’s defence history as the air force now possesses aircraft capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds which will bolster the medium-lift tactical capability of the IAF and make India self-reliant.
Top military officials including IAF Chief Vir Chaudhari, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation General VK Singh and Spain’s Ambassador to India Jose Maria Ridao were also present during the unveiling.
The Defence Minister also got the opportunity to enter the coveted aircraft after performing a short religious ceremony outside during its formal induction
Prior to the official induction today, the C-295 transport aircraft was received at the Vadodara airbase on September 20, a few days after it was formally handed over to the IAF in Spain.
The induction is part of a project worth Rs 21,935 crore which includes 56 aircraft to be finalized in two years. Airline manufacturer Airbus is to deliver the initial 16 aircraft in “fly-away” condition by 2025 while the remaining 40 will be manufactured and assembled in India as a part of the Airbus-Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) collaboration.
#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inside C-295 MW transport aircraft following the aircraft's formal induction into Indian Air Force at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad pic.twitter.com/DjegIyUsxw
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2023
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