Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 25 formally inducted the C-295 transport aircraft into the Bharatiya Air Force. Induction of the C-295s gradually replaces the Bharatiya Air Force’s old Avro-748 fleet, in the 2023-31 timeframe will boost the Bharatiya Air Force’s tactical airlift capability along the border with China, as also other places like the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The C-295s, which will be equipped with indigenous electronic warfare systems, also have rear camp doors for quick-reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.
