Prayagraj IAF base to be hub for transport aircraft C295 spares

Prayagraj: The Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Prayagraj is all set to be the hub for spares of its latest C295 transport aircraft, which is at the heart of a key Make in India programme.

According to the defence minisry, the 24 Equipment Depot, Air Force Station, Manauri in Prayagraj has been designated as the central stock holding depot for C295 spares.

Air Commodore Angshuk Pal, who is commanding the air force station, has inaugurated the exclusive warehousing facility for C-295 assemblies and parts.

In September 2021, the defence ministry signed a ₹21,935-crore project with Airbus Defence and Space to equip the IAF with 56 C295 aircraft to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus are jointly executing the programme.

The first 16 C295 aircraft will be delivered to the IAF by Airbus in flyaway condition from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be assembled in India. The first plane is set to be delivered to the IAF in September followed by the second one in May 2024.

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