Spain orders 18 C295 transport aircraft

The Spanish Ministry of Defence has acquired 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft to replace the CN235 and C212 fleets dedicated to the training of pilots and paratroopers of the Spanish Air and Space Force. The objective of this programme is to harmonise fleets and achieve maximum logistical and operational commonality with the C295 fleet currently operated by Spain.

Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space commented: “This order reaffirms Spain's commitment to the C295, reinforcing national strategic autonomy and sovereignty while boosting the development of the Spanish aeronautical industry and the entire industrial ecosystem. With this contract, the Spanish Air and Space Force will operate a fleet of 46 C295s in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance configurations.”

The C295s in transport configuration have the capacity to carry 70 troops or 50 paratroopers, take off and land on unprepared runways, perform cargo and paratrooper drops, as well as perform medical evacuation.

To meet the specific requirements of the Spanish Air and Space Force, the agreement is divided into two batches. The first group of C295s will be dedicated to training and the transport of passengers, paratroopers, and cargo at the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca. These tasks are currently performed by CN235 aircraft. The first of these aircraft will be delivered in 2026 and the last in 2028.

The second group of C295s will be used for manual and automatic paratrooper drops, as well as cargo drops, with deliveries  scheduled between 2030 and 2032. Currently, these tasks are carried out at the Military Parachuting School at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia, using C212 aircraft.

The agreement includes the supply of an advanced ground training system designed in accordance with the customer's needs to maximise the efficiency of instructional flights. This system encompasses several flight simulators, computer-aided teaching systems, and training management software for the Military Transport School in Salamanca and the Military Paratrooper School in Murcia.

The contract also includes comprehensive support for the C295 fleet at the Military Transport School, which will cover aircraft maintenance, the management of all necessary material for the aircraft, and the management of the training centre until December 2032.

The C295 is the undisputed leader in its segment with 329 orders from 38 countries across four continents and more than 710,000 flight hours. The aircraft is assembled at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain.