The TATA Group's Hyderabad facility, in collaboration with European aviation giant Airbus, has begun production of the C-295 transport aircraft, which will replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ageing Avro fleet.

In addition, the initial group of six pilots has completed their training in Spain, and the first batch of IAF aircraft engineers is now being trained to maintain the aircraft that will be stationed at ten operating bases.

The IAF has also entered into a five-year Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) agreement with Airbus, requiring the company to ensure 85 percent fleet availability at all times. This means that at any given time, 85 percent of the fleet must be operationally ready and not in need of servicing or replacement parts.

While the IAF has ordered 56 C-295 aircraft, each capable of carrying up to 9 tonnes of cargo, Airbus officials confirmed that they, along with TATA, are in talks with the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard about purchasing up to 15 additional aircraft, nine of which will be used for maritime surveillance.

However, sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that the BSF which also operates the Avros, is looking at procuring C-295 aircraft, besides one of the security agencies that is looking to use the aircraft for technical surveillance.