The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally began phasing out its legacy HS-748 Avro transport aircraft from service when the first C-295MW transport aircraft was inducted into service in a formal ceremony at the Hindon Air Force Station on Monday. The first aircraft was inducted into the No. 11 Squadron, ‘The Rhinos’, based in Vadodara.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with IAF Air Chief Marshal (ACM) V. R. Chaudhari attended the ‘Sarv Dharm Puja’ induction ceremony. Prior to this, Mr. Singh inaugurated Bharat Drone Shakti 2023, a two-day drone exhibition and display event jointly organised by the IAF and the Drone Federation of India (DFI) featuring over 75 drone start-ups from across the country.
“This medium lift tactical aircraft is capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds and it will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft. The induction of C-295 will bolster medium lift tactical capability of the IAF. The Defence and Aerospace sectors are the two important pillars for making India self-reliant in coming years,” Mr. Singh said on social media after the event.
