MADRID- Spain has confirmed the purchase of 18 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace aging CN235 and C212 platforms used for military training and transport. The deal strengthens fleet standardization and long-term operational efficiency.
The program expands the Spanish Air and Space Force’s reliance on the C295 while reinforcing domestic aerospace production and logistics integration across multiple training bases.
Photo: By Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26953329
Spain Orders 18 C295 Aircraft
The acquisition is designed to harmonize Spain’s military transport fleet around the C295 platform. Spain already operates the aircraft in transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance roles, and this order raises the total fleet to 46 units.
According to Airbus Defence and Space, the contract supports Spain’s strategic autonomy while reinforcing the national aerospace industrial base. All aircraft will be assembled at Airbus facilities in Seville, ensuring continuity for domestic production and skilled employment.
The C295 in transport configuration can carry up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers. It supports operations from unprepared runways and is capable of cargo drops, paratrooper deployment, and medical evacuation missions.
Photo: Airbus
Two-Phase Delivery Aligned With Operational Roles
The agreement is structured in two delivery batches to match operational needs.
The first batch will support pilot and paratrooper training at the Military Air Transport School located at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca. These aircraft will replace the CN235 fleet currently used for passenger, cargo, and training missions. Deliveries will begin in 2026 and conclude in 2028.
The second batch will be assigned to advanced paratrooper and cargo drop missions at the Military Parachuting School at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia. These aircraft will replace the C212 fleet, with deliveries scheduled between 2030 and 2032.
Integrated Training Systems and Long-Term Support
The contract includes a comprehensive ground-based training system tailored to the Spanish Air and Space Force requirements. This package includes flight simulators, computer-aided instruction tools, and training management software deployed in Salamanca and Murcia.
Airbus will also provide full fleet support services at the Military Transport School. This includes aircraft maintenance, material management, and training center operations through December 2032.
The C295 is the leading aircraft in its segment, with 329 orders from 38 countries worldwide. The global fleet has accumulated more than 710,000 flight hours across military and special mission roles.
Its selection reinforces Spain’s long-term commitment to a proven platform with established logistics, training, and lifecycle support.
Photo: Airbus
About C295 Aircraft
Last year, the Airbus C295 medium tactical transport aircraft crossed a major milestone with 300 orders worldwide, reinforcing its position as the global market leader in its class.
Operated across diverse climates and missions, the C295 has become a cornerstone platform for military transport, surveillance, humanitarian relief, and special operations.
A Global Programme Built for Scale and Longevity
The 300th order milestone was achieved following Kazakhstan’s acquisition of its third C295 transport aircraft for the National Security Committee Aviation Service. This addition expands an existing fleet and reflects continued confidence from repeat customers.
Since its first delivery in 2000 to the Spanish Air and Space Force, the C295 has grown into the most widely used medium tactical transport aircraft. It now commands over 80 percent of its market segment, with 41 operators across 37 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Nineteen of these operators have placed repeat orders, underlining sustained operational value.
India stands as the largest customer, with 56 aircraft on order. Sixteen aircraft are being assembled in Seville, while 40 will be produced locally by Tata in Vadodara under the Make in India programme. Deliveries to the Indian Air Force began in September 2023, with a steady delivery schedule extending through 2026.
Collectively, the global C295 fleet has accumulated more than 610,000 flight hours. The Spanish Air and Space Force leads in total fleet hours, while Brazil operates the single aircraft with the highest recorded flight time.
Photo: Airbus
Design Origins and European Industrial Footprint
The C295 traces its roots to Spain’s aerospace industry through CASA, following the success of the C212 and CN235 programmes. Officially launched in 1996, the aircraft first flew in November 1997 from Getafe and received military certification in 1999.
Designed as an evolution of the CN235, the C295 offers roughly 50 percent greater capability. Key upgrades include Pratt and Whitney Canada PW100 engines rated at 2,645 horsepower, a redesigned wing, and enhanced systems, while retaining strong platform commonality.
The aircraft’s name reflects its heritage and intent. C stands for CASA, 2 denotes twin engines, and 95 refers to the original 9.5 tonne payload target.
Spain remains central to the programme. Design and engineering are based in Getafe, with pre-assembly in Seville and final assembly at Airbus San Pablo Sur. In December 2023, Spain further reinforced national industrial capability by ordering 16 C295s in advanced maritime patrol and surveillance configurations, all designed and built domestically.
Manufacturing, Training, and Global Support Network
Final assembly of the C295 typically takes between one and two years for transport variants, with longer timelines for complex mission configurations. Between 200 and 250 specialists are directly involved in each aircraft’s production, which follows four core phases: integration, testing, painting, and flight.
Digital manufacturing plays a central role, with technicians using tablets and mixed reality tools instead of paper documentation. Airbus is also expanding production capacity through a second final assembly line in Vadodara, India.
In-service support is anchored by the San Pablo Norte facility in Seville, which provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Training is delivered through the International Training Centre at San Pablo, where pilots, technicians, and loadmasters undergo courses ranging from two to sixty days. To date, around 700 pilots and 1,700 maintenance technicians have been qualified.
Airbus also deploys field service representatives at operator bases worldwide to maintain high fleet availability.
Photo: Airbus
Mission Versatility Across Air, Sea, and Land
The C295’s defining strength is versatility. In transport configuration, it can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers, vehicles, pallets, or mixed cargo. It can also be rapidly reconfigured for medical evacuation, accommodating up to 24 stretchers and intensive care equipment.
Mission variants include maritime patrol, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, signals intelligence, and special operations. These aircraft are equipped with Airbus’ FITS mission system, enabling advanced sensor fusion and remote operation from land bases.
The C295 is also capable of aerial refuelling operations using a roll-on, roll-off kit, and can support both fixed-wing and rotary-wing receivers.
Operational performance has been demonstrated in demanding environments. Fleet availability rates above 95 percent have been recorded during sustained deployments in Africa and the Middle East. The aircraft’s short takeoff and landing capability allows operations from unpaved and austere runways, including roads in contingency scenarios.
Proven Record in Humanitarian and Security Missions
Beyond military roles, the C295 has played a critical part in humanitarian relief, disaster response, and medical evacuation. It has supported wildfire suppression in South America, emergency medical transport across island chains, and rapid evacuation missions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable missions include night landings on unprepared jungle runways for medical evacuation in Colombia and high-tempo UN peacekeeping support in Mali, where aircraft flew extended daily sorties carrying personnel and cargo.
The platform also aligns with sustainability goals. The C295 can operate on up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel without modification, supporting military decarbonisation efforts.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News