India's Maritime Surveillance Fleet Set for a Major Upgrade with C-295 Based Aircraft Programme

India's maritime surveillance fleet is on the cusp of a significant upgrade with the development of a shared, indigenously built maritime patrol platform based on the C-295 aircraft. The programme, which is nearing Cabinet Committee on Security clearance, is a major step towards India's goal of indigenizing its defence capabilities and enhancing its maritime security and capabilities.

The programme has its roots in the Acceptance of Necessity granted by the Defence Acquisition Council in early 2024, which covered a combined fleet of 15 aircraft built on the Airbus C-295 airframe. Of the total, nine aircraft in the MRMR configuration are earmarked for the Indian Navy, while six MMMA-configured aircraft will go to the Indian Coast Guard. The Ministry of Defence formally issued a Request for Proposal to the Tata-Airbus consortium in July 2025, with the overall programme valued at approximately $3.5 billion.

The programme's significance lies in its ability to provide a shared maritime patrol platform for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, capable of performing a range of critical tasks, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, troop deployment, and air ambulance roles. The aircraft will be equipped with advanced sensor suites, including DRDO-developed sensor systems, active electronically scanned array radars, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and magnetic anomaly detectors. The MRMR-configured aircraft will also feature weapons integration, including the indigenous NASM-SR short-range anti-ship missile, lightweight torpedoes, and sonobuoys for submarine detection.

The programme's progress underscores the steady expansion of Tata Advanced Systems' role as a domestic aerostructures and final-assembly hub, building on the C-295 transport line already operational in Vadodara. The programme also reflects the growing footprint of DRDO in maritime sensor and weapons integration work, which has traditionally depended heavily on imported systems.

The C-295-based platform is designed to fill the operational gap between India's short-range Dornier-228 coastal patrol aircraft and its long-range Boeing P-8I Poseidon fleet. With a range of roughly 2,000-2,500 kilometres and an endurance in the 8-10 hour range, depending on configuration, the platform will enable the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to perform a range of critical tasks, including maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

The programme's medium-term rather than immediate capability boost is a reflection of the complex nature of defence acquisition programmes. However, its progress is a significant step towards India's goal of indigenizing its defence capabilities and enhancing its maritime security and capabilities. The programme's success will also have a positive impact on the Indian defence industry, promoting indigenous development and self-reliance.

A Key Milestone in India's Defence Modernisation

The C-295-based maritime patrol platform programme represents a major milestone in India's defence modernisation efforts. The programme's success will have a positive impact on the country's maritime security and capabilities, enabling the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to perform a range of critical tasks.

A Shared Maritime Patrol Platform

The programme's ability to provide a shared maritime patrol platform for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard is a significant development. The platform will enable both services to perform a range of critical tasks, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, troop deployment, and air ambulance roles.

A Major Step Towards Indigenisation

The programme's progress underscores the steady expansion of Tata Advanced Systems' role as a domestic aerostructures and final-assembly hub. The programme also reflects the growing footprint of DRDO in maritime sensor and weapons integration work, which has traditionally depended heavily on imported systems.

A Positive Impact on the Indian Defence Industry

The programme's success will have a positive impact on the Indian defence industry, promoting indigenous development and self-reliance. The programme's success will also have a positive impact on the country's maritime security and capabilities, enabling the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to perform a range of critical tasks.

Key Takeaways

• The C-295-based maritime patrol platform programme is nearing Cabinet Committee on Security clearance.
• The programme will provide a shared maritime patrol platform for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
• The platform will be equipped with advanced sensor suites and weapons integration.
• The programme's success will have a positive impact on the Indian defence industry, promoting indigenous development and self-reliance.
• The programme's success will also have a positive impact on the country's maritime security and capabilities, enabling the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to perform a range of critical tasks.