Photo: airbus.com
According to the Center for Analysis of the World Arms Trade, the Indian Ministry of Defense has completed negotiations on the cost of procurement for the Air Force and the Coast Guard of the country of 62 medium-sized military transport aircraft C-295 developed by Airbus Defense and Space.
As reported by Jane’s Defense Weekly, citing sources in the Indian Air Force, the Department of Defense Cost Coordination Commission (CNC) completed consultations with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), which formed a joint venture with Airbus to implement the program for the purchase of 62 medium aircraft BTA (Medium Transport Aircraft – MTA). The cost of the program is estimated at 2.8 billion euros ($ 3.15 billion).
The MTA program provides for the direct purchase of 16 C-295 aircraft from the developer and the assembly of 46 remaining aircraft under license from an enterprise built near Bangalore. In accordance with the requirements of the 2013 tender, 24 aircraft must be imported in the form of vehicle sets. They should contain 30% of the components of national production. The share of systems produced in India should increase to 60% in 22 aircraft of the second batch.
It is planned that the deliveries of the first C-295 assembled in India should begin within 60 months after signing the contract. Sources told the publication that in the future, the total number of C-295 acquired by India could “significantly” increase, since the paramilitary border security forces are also considering the possibility of acquiring this platform.
Source: http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/mainnews/2019/0329/090251682/detail.shtml
