Centre's Deal on Airbus for 56 military transport aircraft : Know in a lucid manner

NATION: The Indian government frequently have to set a deal with various nations pertaining to the security and defence sector of the country, patently with the advent of the self-empowered and self-sustenance schemes like Atma-Nirbha Bharat and Make in India, brought by the Modi-led BJP government, the country envisages a self-dependent engine from within especially when it comes to defence. 

What's on the News?

The Air Force will get the first C-295 MW transport aircraft in two years as per the deal signed with Airbus on September 24, 2021, While the first 16 of the 56 aircraft that are to be delivered will be brought in flyaway condition from Spain, the next 40 will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus in India.

 Ratan Tata took to his Twitter welcoming the deal inked by the central government.On his Twitter, he has openly acknowledged the deal as worthy of by "Congratulating the Airbus Defence, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the Defence Ministry on the inking of the contract, saying "It's a great step" forward in the opening up of the aviation and avionics projects in India. (Below)

Significance of the deal.

• The aircraft from Spain will be delivered between two to four years from the signing of the deal.
• while the aircraft to be manufactured in India will be delivered starting a fourth or fifth year from now and the delivery of the 56th aircraft will be concluded by the tenth year from now.
• the Defence Ministry signed the contract with Airbus Defence and Space, Spain on Friday
• it is estimated to cost over Rs 20,000 crore.
• This is the first aerospace programme in the private sector in India
• The government called it a “big step towards modernisation of IAF transport fleet”.

According to Airbus, the C-295MW has a proven capability of operating from short or unprepared airstrips and can be used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft. It can airdrop paratroops and loads and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation. It can also perform special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.