New Delhi:
European aviation major Airbus said on Thursday it has secured regulatory approval from the Indian regulator for its C295 aircraft program, making it the first foreign original equipment manufacturer to receive such a kink.
In September last year, India signed a deal of nearly Rs 21,000 crore with Airbus Defense and Space to purchase 56 C295 transport aircraft to replace the IAF’s aging Avro-748 aircraft under a project that will see military operations for the first time. aircraft in India are produced by a private company.
Regulatory approval for the ambitious program was granted by the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA).
Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from the final assembly line in Seville, Spain within four years, and the next 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
The Airbus Defense and Space Quality Management System (QMS) for the C295 aircraft has received approval from the Indian aviation quality assurance regulator DGAQA, the aerospace major said in a statement.
This is the first time that a QMS from a foreign aircraft manufacturer has been approved by DGAQA.
The certificate of approval was presented by Director General of DGAQA Sanjay Chawla to Kajetan von Mentzingen, Head of Quality, Airbus Defense and Space, at a ceremony on the sidelines of DefExpo in Gandhinagar.
This is an important first step in a comprehensive quality assurance roadmap agreed by Airbus and DGAQA for the C295 ‘Make in India’ programme.
“We have reached a milestone for the C295 ‘Make in India’ program. This certification demonstrates the confidence DGAQA places in Airbus’ quality standards,” said Mentzingen.
“It marks the beginning of a robust and comprehensive roadmap Airbus has established for the C295 ‘Make in India’ program. It will form the basis for successful aircraft production in India under the policy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the official said.
This certification is part of the program to manufacture 40 aircraft in India, which encompasses the full development of a complete industrial ecosystem – from parts production to assembly, testing and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the full aircraft lifecycle. .
The C295 is known as a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistical operations to locations inaccessible to current heavier aircraft.
The aircraft can drop paratroopers and payloads, as well as be used for casualties or medical evacuation.
The aircraft is capable of performing special missions, as well as disaster relief and maritime patrol duties.
After the mega deal was completed last year, Airbus said the C295 program will see the company bring its complete package of world-class aircraft manufacturing and maintenance to India in conjunction with its industrial partners, including the Tatas and leading defense forces. in the public sector such as Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
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