Bharat Drone Shakti: Indian Air Force Expands Its Capabilities

The Indian Air Force (IAF) expanded its logistical capabilities on 25 September with the induction of the first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft.

Rajnath Singh, India's defence minister, officially inaugurated the "Bharat Drone Shakti 2023" exhibition, a sizable display of drone technology. He also participated in a "Sarva Dharma Pooja" ("All Religious Prayer Ceremony") that was held in the hangar to commemorate the event.

Bharat Drone Shakti: First C-295 aircraft inducted into Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Drone Federation of India (DFI) made a collaborative effort to organise the event.

The defense minister inaugurated the large drone exhibition and witnessed many airborne drones during the ceremony.

Rajnath Singh, in the meantime, explored the exhibition space and was stopped by numerous vendors.

A total of over 50 live aerial demonstrations showcasing survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, heavy-lift logistics drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions were held as part of the "Bharat Drone Shakti 2023" event, which attracted more than 75 drone start-ups and corporations.

The defense minister officially inducted the C-295 MW transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force, in front of top military officials, including IAF Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, General VK Singh, Indian minister of state in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, and R.K.S Bhadauria, former Indian air chief.

Bharat Drone Shakti: First C-295 aircraft inducted into Indian Air Force

The first C-295 aircraft was inducted into IAF Squadron No. 11, which is one of the oldest squadrons in the Indian Air Force and which is currently, based at Vadodara.

In Vadodara, the manufacturing facility for the C-295 aircraft was officially opened in October of last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is the first military aircraft made in India by a private consortium.

The Drone Federation of India and the Indian Air Force have teamed up to co-host Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 in recognition of the enormous potential in the development of domestic drones.

The Indian Air Force is acquiring the C-295 aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Avro-748 aircraft, which were introduced to service more than 60 years ago.

The C-295 is a well-known, superior aircraft utilised for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers as well as logistics missions to locations which older, heavier aircraft cannot reach. The aircraft can be used for medical evacuation or casualty relief, as well as airdropping loads and paratroopers.

At the same time, the C-295 aircraft is also capable of carrying out special missions, disaster response, and marine patrol duties.

Bharat Drone Shakti: First C-295 aircraft inducted into Indian Air Force