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2024-01-08
Spain Secures €1.7B Airbus C295 Fleet for Sea, Sky Supremacy
The Spanish Ministry of Defence has solidified an €1.695 billion agreement with Airbus, commissioning 16 Airbus C295 aircraft in two distinct configurations: Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA).
The contract will enable the Spanish Air and Space Force and the Spanish Navy to strengthen the national anti-submarine warfare capability as well as enhance its surveillance, reconnaissance and search & rescue units.
Training Systems
Inclusive within the contract are critical training systems like the Full Flight Simulator and
Mission System Simulator, along with an initial logistics support package.
The C295 MPA assumes the mantle of the retired P-3 Orion fleet, equipped for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance with provisions for torpedoes and various weapon systems.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, emphasised: “The aircraft will be fully designed and manufactured in Spain, fostering the national industrial defence footprint and sovereignty The Maritime Patrol version is the most complex C295 mission configuration to date.”
The MPA configuration stands out for its connectivity, functioning collaboratively with diverse platforms across different domains. It’s envisioned as a multifunctional airborne command-and-control centre, granting the Spanish Armed Forces versatility across a range of missions.
The C295 MSA is the natural replacement for the CN-235 VIGMA aircraft fleet, which have been in service with the Spanish Air and Space Force since 2008. It will be mainly equipped for maritime and overland operations such as anti-smuggling, anti-illegal immigration and anti-drug trafficking operations, as well as national and international search-and-rescue missions.
Adaptive Transporter
The C295 is a reliable military transport aircraft known for its adaptability and performance. Capable of carrying nine tonnes of payload or 71 troops, it operates at a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots.
Its features include air-to-air refuelling capability for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, retractable landing gear, and a 12.69-metre-long pressurised cabin, enabling flights at altitudes up to 30,000 feet while maintaining excellent low-level flight capabilities.
The aircraft boasts remarkable short take-off and landing (STOL) performance, suitable for various terrains like unpaved, soft, and grass airstrips.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, the C295 ensures manoeuvrability, hot-and-high performance, and up to 13 hours of endurance aloft with low fuel consumption.
With over 200 operational aircraft, it has a strong track record of reliability, logging over 500,000 flight hours across diverse environments.
Recent enhancements, such as winglets, improve overall flight performance, including takeoff, higher cruise altitudes, increased endurance, and reduced fuel consumption by three to six per cent.
Extensive Service
The combat-tested C295 boasts extensive service with armed forces globally. Deployed for up to two years, flying up to 100 hours monthly, it has operated in diverse and harsh terrains — from Brazilian jungles to Egyptian deserts and icy Kazakh winters.
Proven in Chad, Iraq, and Afghanistan, this aircraft endures extreme conditions, offering optional self-defence gear like cockpit armour, chaff/flare dispensers, and radar, missile, and laser warning systems.
Its in-flight refuelling option adds to its adaptability. The C295’s resilience and successful missions in remote, hostile environments underscore its reliability and effectiveness for military operations worldwide.
The C295, excels in Anti-Submarine Warfare/Anti-Surface Warfare (ASW/ASuW) operations, offering a modern, cost-effective alternative to aging predecessors like the P-3 Orion and Bréguet Atlantic.
The Portuguese Air Force patrols vast zones, including the Azores and Madeira islands, using the C295 for maritime surveillance. The Chilean Navy and Brazilian Air Force utilise it for oceanic search and rescue (SAR) missions.
Equipped with Airbus’ Tactical System, the C295 ASW variant carries weapons, including torpedoes and anti-surface missiles, serving Chile in ASW operations.
Tactical Surveillance
The C295 MSA integrates Airbus’ Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) for advanced maritime surveillance, offering high-definition displays and streamlined data fusion. This system, while reducing workload, interfaces with navigation for enhanced situational awareness.
Despite its tactical setup, the C295’s spacious cabin allows adaptability, supporting troop, cargo and medical evacuation roles.
With an exceptional 11+ hours of endurance, it excels in persistent surveillance. Its rear ramp enables swift life raft deployment, and bubble windows ensure comprehensive visual coverage.
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