Reaching a significant milestone in India’s ambitious “Make in India” initiative, the C295 program has achieved a pivotal approval from the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), the regulatory authority in India, for the local production of detailed parts and sub-assemblies for the C295 aircraft under the Airbus Defence and Space Quality Management System (QMS).
This approval marks a crucial step forward in strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities. Airbus Defence and Space, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), will undertake the production of these components at multiple facilities across India. The formal presentation of the certificate occurred on February 12, 2024, at the C295 Main Components Assembly facility located in Hyderabad, where Sanjay Chawla, the Director General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance, presented the certificate to Michael Schoellhorn, the CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, and Masood Hussainy, the Head of Aerostructures and Aero Engines at Tata Advanced Systems Limited.
The partnership between Airbus and TASL underscores a commitment to uphold the highest standards of quality and precision in aircraft manufacturing. Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt, Vice President and Head of the C295 India Programme at Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the significance of this certification, highlighting the continued trust and confidence of DGAQA in Airbus’s quality standards.
The procurement of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft by India, announced in September 2021, signifies a major advancement in modernizing the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet. Under the terms of the contract, Airbus will deliver the initial 16 aircraft in “fly-away” condition from its assembly line in Seville, Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by TASL in India, as part of a strategic industrial partnership between the two entities.
The delivery of the first C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force in September 2023 marked a significant achievement in the timeline of the program. This certification further solidifies India’s commitment to enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and fostering a robust aerospace ecosystem. From component production to assembly, testing, delivery, and maintenance, the C295 program exemplifies a comprehensive approach towards indigenization and technological advancement in the aerospace sector.