Ministry of defence and Airbus sign ₹22,000 crore deal 

Ministry of defence and Airbus sign ₹22,000 crore deal 

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Defence and security 

Context The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently signed an estimated Rs. 22,000-crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain, for 56 C-295MW transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing 56 Avro aircraft that were procured in the 1960s.

• This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India under technology transfer by the private sector.

About C-295

• The C295, having 5-10 tonne capacity, is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations not accessible to current heavier aircraft. 
• It also has a proven capability of operating from short or unprepared airstrips.