Indian Coast Guard and Navy Set to Acquire 15 C-295 Transport Aircraft

The Indian Coast Guard and Navy are in the process of acquiring 15 C-295 transport aircraft, according to reports.

The acquisition, currently in an advanced stage of approval at the Ministry of Defence, involves nine aircraft for the Navy and six for the Indian Coast Guard.

The C-295 transport aircraft, part of a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, will contribute to maritime surveillance. Equipped with radars and sensors, these aircraft will be transformed into maritime patrol planes by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), according to defence officials.

Highlighting the progress, Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General Rakesh Pal told ANI, "There are plans for acquiring long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, and the contracts will be signed with TASL (TATA Advanced Systems Limited), wherein we are about to get six C295 transport aircraft."

He added that the Ministry of Defence is ensuring sufficient funds to expedite the acquisition processes.

The Coast Guard chief also revealed plans to sign contracts for nine advanced-light ALH Dhruv helicopters. The Indian Air Force has already inducted the first C-295 manufactured in Spain, with the initial 16 aircraft imported directly.

The subsequent 40, along with the proposed 15 for the Navy and Coast Guard, will be produced in India at a Tata facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, significantly bolstering Tata Airbus' order book to 71 from the existing 56, pending government approval.