Due to developing situation in the region, India has approved the long pending purchase for Indian Air Force. Today the Indian cabinet committee of security approved the procurement of 56 brand new C-295MW transport aircraft.
C295W, the latest variant of C295 military transport aircraft, is being manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space. The new aircraft is equipped with winglets and uprated engines to deliver improved performance than its predecessor.
The new generation C295W can be deployed in defence, homeland security, surveillance and humanitarian missions involving troops and cargo transport, air-dropping, communication and logistics support, anti-submarine and surface warfare, airborne early warning (AEW), maritime surveillance, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
As per the sources, 16 C-295W will be delivered with in 48 months of signing of the contract. “The new aircraft is equipped with winglets and uprated engines to deliver improved performance than its predecessor.”
The under-wing stations of the aircraft can be fitted with CIRIT 70mm laser-guided missile, LUMTAS laser-guided, long-range anti-tank missile, and TEBER laser-guided bomb.
Aircraft countermeasures
The aircraft is installed with self-defence equipment and systems including cockpit armour, radar warning receiver (RWR), missile approach warning system (MAWS), laser warning system (LWS), and chaff / flares dispensers.
C295W engine and performance
The C295W is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines driving a pair of Hamilton Standard 586-F six-bladed propellers. The engines deliver superior performance in hot and high conditions.
The C295W can fly at a maximum cruise speed of 480km/h and can reach a maximum altitude of 25,000ft. Its low-level flight characteristics allow flying at a minimum speed of 110kt. The aircraft is equipped with a retractable tri-cycle landing gear, which enables operations even in the most austere locations with short, soft and rough unprepared airstrips.
