European aviation main Airbus had earlier stated that it has acquired the regulatory approval from the Indian regulator for its C295 aircraft programme, turning into the primary international unique tools maker to get such a nod.
“Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara in Gujarat would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports,” ANI quoted the defence secretary as saying.
In September final 12 months, India sealed a virtually Rs 21,000 crore take care of Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C295 transport aircraft to substitute the ageing Avro-748 planes of the IAF underneath a venture that entails manufacturing of army aircraft in India for the primary time by a non-public firm.
The regulatory approval for the bold programme was accorded by Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA).
Under the settlement, Airbus will ship the primary 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ situation from its last meeting line in Seville, Spain inside 4 years and the following 40 aircraft will likely be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as a part of an industrial partnership between the 2 firms.
The Airbus Defence and Space Quality Management System (QMS) for the C295 aircraft has acquired approval from the DGAQA, the Indian regulatory authority for aeronautical high quality assurance, the aerospace main stated in an announcement.
“This is the first time a QMS of a foreign aircraft manufacturer has been approved by DGAQA,” it stated.
The certificates of approval was handed over by Director General of DGAQA Sanjay Chawla to Kajetan von Mentzingen, Head of Quality of Airbus Defence and Space at a ceremony held on the sidelines of DefExpo in Gandhinagar.
This is a major first step of a complete high quality assurance roadmap agreed between Airbus and DGAQA for the C295 ‘Make in India’ programme.
“We have crossed a milestone for the C295 ‘Make in India’ programme. This certification demonstrates the trust and confidence that DGAQA places in Airbus quality standards,” Mentzingen stated.
“It marks the beginning of a robust and comprehensive roadmap that Airbus has put in place for the C295 ‘Make in India’ programme. It will be the foundation for successful aircraft manufacturing in India under the policy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the official stated.
This certification is a part of the programme to manufacture 40 aircraft in India, which includes the total improvement of a whole industrial ecosystem — from the manufacturing of elements to meeting, check and qualification, to supply and upkeep of the entire lifecycle of the aircraft.
The C295 is understood to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to areas that aren’t accessible to present heavier aircraft.
The aircraft can airdrop paratroops and hundreds, and in addition be used for casualty or medical evacuation.
The aircraft is able to performing particular missions in addition to catastrophe response and maritime patrol duties.
After the mega deal was finalised final 12 months, the Airbus stated the C295 programme will see the corporate carry its full bouquet of world-class aircraft manufacturing and servicing to India in collaboration with its industrial companions, together with the Tatas and main defence public sector models equivalent to Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
(With inputs from businesses)