Airbus and Tata Collaboration Gets Green Light for Production of Parts for Airbus C295 in India

Defense News ,India :- In a big step forward for the 'Make in India' C295 program, Airbus Defence and Space has received approval from the Indian regulatory authority, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), for its Quality Management System (QMS) related to the C295 aircraft. This means they can now produce detailed parts and sub-assemblies in India.

The approval, officially granted on February 12, 2024, allows Airbus Defence and Space to collaborate with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in producing detailed parts and sub-assemblies at various locations in India. Sanjay Chawla, Director General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance, handed over the certificate of approval to Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, and Masood Hussainy, Head of Aerostructures and Aeroengines at Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

This achievement is a significant part of the quality assurance roadmap agreed upon by Airbus Defence and Space and DGAQA for the C295 'Make in India' program, working closely with TASL.

Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt, VP – Head of C295 India Programme at Airbus Defence and Space, stated, "This certification demonstrates the continuing trust and confidence of DGAQA in Airbus quality standards. All detailed parts for the C295 will be manufactured in India under exacting Airbus quality standards. We continue to work in strong partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to apply a robust and comprehensive quality framework for successful aircraft manufacturing in India for the C295 ‘Make in India’ program under the policy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat."

In September 2021, India finalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) older AVRO fleet. Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its assembly line in Seville, Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be made and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in India as part of the industrial partnership between the two companies. The first C295 aircraft was delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2023. The recent certification is a crucial step in the program, aiming for a complete industrial ecosystem development from production to assembly, testing, delivery, and the entire lifecycle of the aircraft.