IAF Eyes Additional Airbus C-295 to Phase Out Soviet-Era AN-32 Transport Aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly looking to expand its fleet of C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft as a potential replacement for its aging Soviet-era AN-32 turboprop transport aircraft, according to sources cited by the Hindustan Times.

The C-295, with its 5-10-tonne payload capacity, aligns well with the IAF's current operational requirements and offers capabilities comparable to the AN-32, which has been a cornerstone of the IAF's transport fleet for decades.

As the AN-32s approach the end of their service life, with retirement slated to begin in 2030, the C-295, with its production line expected to run until 2032, presents a logical successor.

The IAF has already committed to acquiring 56 C-295s, with 16 to be built in Spain by Airbus and the remaining 40 to be manufactured in India under a landmark deal that bolsters the country's domestic aerospace industry.

In addition to the IAF's procurement, the Indian Coast Guard is also poised to acquire six C-295 Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft variants, further highlighting the aircraft's versatility.

Beyond these initial orders, there's also potential for follow-on purchases from paramilitary organizations like the Border Security Force, suggesting a bright future for the C-295 in India.

The move to replace the AN-32 fleet with the C-295 underscores the IAF's commitment to modernizing its capabilities and ensuring operational readiness for the years to come.

 

[Sunny]

That's the standard payload flight performance. Nobody gives a service ceiling for an aircraft without cargo especially for a transport aircraft. Otherwise it does not make sense. The service ceiling declared by Airbus is upto 9 tonnes for an aircraft flying at 260 knots is about 30,000 ft which is just over 9,140 meters. That is close to weight of 70 fully equipped personnel.

That seems unlikely. The C-295 is powered by 2600hp engines and the AN-32 with 5100hp engines. No matter how much the aerodynamic difference in design, they cannot have the similar payload/altitude performance. Also the AN-32 configuration is optimised for high altitude performance, unlike C-295.

 

[desigandu]

1. Right now we have an order of 56 (16 in Spain + 40 assembled in India starting 2026 of 5-8 per year) + 15 (between IN and ICG), so total of 55 to be built in India...Can we say accelerate to about 8-10 planes per year say by 2038, and make 100 odd domestically by 2035-2036, for domestic consumption...Can the TATA facility scale along with TOT, local supplier eco-system etc...And how is the contract structured with Airbus - can it enable this along with potential enhancements, modifications etc. - hopefully we have learnt from the past and signed better contracts...

2. Further MTA program should also be accelerated and signed with Lockheed and TATA with a domestic assembly line for 100s of planes - that way we have solved for transports upto 20 ton payload...

3. For heavy/strategic transports (IL76/78 and C-17s) From 20T-80T, we need a different solution, but should start planning asap...

 

[desigandu]

While the C-295 plane is a great transport plane with more modern capabilities however it can’t be used to replace our medium transport An-32 as its payload category is small.

We need to manufacture a medium transport plane which can carry at least 30T or more as these planes would be used to replace the An-32 planes which are the main work horse of the air force and military.

Per Google Gemini AI - payload comparison of C-295s vs. AN32s...Seems C295s can carry more payload than AN32...

The Airbus C295 is a tactical airlifter that can carry up to 9,250 kilograms (20,400 pounds) of payload. It can also transport up to 71 troops, 48 paratroopers, or 12 stretcher intensive care medevac patients. The C295's cargo hold is 12.69 meters long, 1.90 meters wide, and 2.70 meters high, and it can carry five standard 108-inch pallets of cargo or three Land Rover-sized light vehicles.

The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engine transport aircraft with a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 kg (16,531 lb). It can also carry up to 50 passengers, 42 paratroopers, or 24 casualties on stretchers with three medical personnel.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

That seems unlikely. The C-295 is powered by 2600hp engines and the AN-32 with 5100hp engines. No matter how much the aerodynamic difference in design, they cannot have the similar payload/altitude performance. Also the AN-32 configuration is optimised for high altitude performance, unlike C-295.

That is what Airbus says on its spec sheet.

 

[desigandu]

One only hopes some bright spark doesn't come up with the idea of simply using the C295 in the MTA tender.

Highly unlikely someone would, but just to be safe...

Potentially, but unlikely given MTA payload needs (at least on paper) are 18-30 Tons...

 

[Sandeep]

AN-32 is not a MEDIUM transport aircraft with 30 ton payload capacity.Please Do not misinform. It's payload is 6.7-7.5 tonnes, and as such C-295 is almost perfect replacement.

The antonov 32 has a MTOW of about 28T and the C-295 has a MTOW of about 21T. So the An-32 plane in general is more of a medium transport plane compared to the 21T which is more lighter and come under a small weight category. I am not talking about just the payload but the total weight of the plane including payload which should have been more clearer.

We need a medium weight category plane with a payload capacity of around 20-40T to be the next workhorse of the military as whenever there is a military emergency we will need to haul a lot of weight from troops to cargo.

 

[Sandeep]

Per Google Gemini AI - payload comparison of C-295s vs. AN32s...Seems C295s can carry more payload than AN32...

The Airbus C295 is a tactical airlifter that can carry up to 9,250 kilograms (20,400 pounds) of payload. It can also transport up to 71 troops, 48 paratroopers, or 12 stretcher intensive care medevac patients. The C295's cargo hold is 12.69 meters long, 1.90 meters wide, and 2.70 meters high, and it can carry five standard 108-inch pallets of cargo or three Land Rover-sized light vehicles.

The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engine transport aircraft with a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 kg (16,531 lb). It can also carry up to 50 passengers, 42 paratroopers, or 24 casualties on stretchers with three medical personnel.

The antonov 32 has a MTOW of about 28T and the C-295 has a MTOW of about 21T. So the An-32 plane in general is more of a medium transport plane compared to the C-295 which is more lighter and come under a small weight category. I am not talking about just the payload but the total weight of the plane including payload which I should have made it more clearer.

We need a medium weight category plane with a payload capacity of around 20-40T to be the next workhorse of the military as whenever there is a military emergency we will need to haul a lot of weight from troops to cargo.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

The antonov 32 has a MTOW of about 28T and the C-295 has a MTOW of about 21T. So the An-32 plane in general is more of a medium transport plane compared to the 21T which is more lighter and come under a small weight category. I am not talking about just the payload but the total weight of the plane including payload which should have been more clearer.

We need a medium weight category plane with a payload capacity of around 20-40T to be the next workhorse of the military as whenever there is a military emergency we will need to haul a lot of weight from troops to cargo.

U do realise that MTOW is not payload right? MTOW includes fuel load as well, and AN-32 Ivchenko AI-20 engines were not exactly fuel efficient and thus wouldvhave carried more fuel and drove 4 bladed reversible pitch propellers.

Conversely C-295 is powered by two more modern highly effecient 2 PW100/PW127G six-bladed Hamilton Sundstrand Type 568F-5 turboprops highly skewed propellers six-bladed Hamilton Sundstrand Type 568F-5 propellers.Moreover, Airbus C-295 has winglets on the wing tips which according to some estimates 5-6% less fuel.

 

[desigandu]

The antonov 32 has a MTOW of about 28T and the C-295 has a MTOW of about 21T. So the An-32 plane in general is more of a medium transport plane compared to the C-295 which is more lighter and come under a small weight category. I am not talking about just the payload but the total weight of the plane including payload which I should have made it more clearer.

We need a medium weight category plane with a payload capacity of around 20-40T to be the next workhorse of the military as whenever there is a military emergency we will need to haul a lot of weight from troops to cargo.

Thanks, in that case C295 can't solve for a 20-40Ton payload. Either a C130J/20T almost and A400Ms/37Ton are options. I prefer the C-130J due to local assembly line, already TATA is making some parts, and cost, but will not solve for 30Tons+ payload for sure...

 

[SK]

This is a sensible decision as it will allow IAF & Indian Aerospace industry to simultaneously achieve logistical synergy & Economy of Scales.

I hope that Indian-Govt can get Airbus to partner with an Indian-company to manufacture these Aircraft in India:-
(1) Airbus A330 => MRTT, AWACS, VIP & Civil Transport Roles
(2) Airbus A320 => AWACS, ISR, MPA, VIP & Civil Transport roles.

 

[Kira]

While the C-295 plane is a great transport plane with more modern capabilities however it can’t be used to replace our medium transport An-32 as its payload category is to small. We need a medium weight transporter that can carry at least 30T as this will be the next workhorse for our air force and military in general.

That is true,but still the C-295 is an ideal replacement for the An-32,now whether the IAF chooses the A-400M,C-130J or the KC-390 for its medium transport needs is a different question.
As I said above,the C-295 can easily replace the An-32 at a competitive cost just like it is presently doing for the Avros.

 

[Anant]

Potentially, but unlikely given MTA payload needs (at least on paper) are 18-30 Tons...

I know it is unlikely, Sir. However, some bright sparks writing some article may decide to start saying this is a nice idea.

 

[desigandu]

I know it is unlikely, Sir. However, some bright sparks writing some article may decide to start saying this is a nice idea.

when can we expect a formal national security strategy by Bharat in the public domain - 2025/2030/2035/2047 or never as we don’t have the balls?