Tata, Airbus to jointly bid for making transport planes for IAF

Airbus claims its C295 will be a good replacement for Indian Air Force's ageing Avro fleet

Giving a big push to its defence business, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) has teamed up with Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus Group, to bid for Indian Air Force's transport aircraft replacement programme.

If awarded the contract, the combine will manufacture and supply C295 transport aircraft to replace the IAF's Avro planes, the two companies announced on Tuesday.

Last year, the defence ministry had floated a tender -termed request for proposal - inviting foreign aircraft manu- facturers to co-produce 56 transport planes to replace the Avros. While state-run Hindustan Aeronautics manufactures combat aircraft, including the Sukhois, the Avro replacement programme has opened up opportunities for private companies to build aircraft for the defence sector.

Out of the 56 planes to be replaced, Airbus Defence and Space will supply the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its own final assembly line. Tata Advanced Systems will manufacture and assemble 40 planes. This includes undertaking structural assembly, final aircraft assembly, systems integration and testing, and management of the indigenous supply chain.

"The project will be of strategic importance to the Tata group. Currently, the requirement is of only 56 planes but more orders can flow in future. It will also be a demonstration of its capabilities. The group will have to set up assembly line and facilities for trials," said an aviation expert.

TASL has earlier teamed up with Swiss plane maker Pilatus to develop aerostructures for its planes and makes cabins for Sikorsky's S-92 helicopters.

Airbus and TASL did not disclose proposed investment and site for manufacture of the aircraft.

"We firmly believe that, in the C295, we have clearly the best aircraft to replace the IAF Avro fleet and, in Tata Advanced Systems, we have secured the cream of the Indian private aerospace sector as our partner for this project," said Domingo Ureña Raso, executive vice-president (military aircraft) at Airbus Defence and Space.

"The C295 aircraft is a reliable and tough aircraft with outstanding economics, which is proven in the most difficult operating conditions all over the world. It has already been ordered by 19 countries, many of which have placed repeat orders. This year, it has dominated the market with orders for no fewer than 20 aircraft from five countries," he added.

S Ramadorai, chairman, Tata Advanced Systems, said: "The selection of Tata Advanced Systems by Airbus demonstrates the confidence that has been built in our ability to undertake this complex programme."