TSAMTO, June 22. The Thai Defense Ministry has placed an order for the delivery of an additional BTA C-295W aircraft from Airbus Defense and Space for the country's Army Command.
As reported by Flightglobal.com, The Thai Navy currently operates two C-295WS. The ordered aircraft will increase the C-295W fleet to three units.
It is planned that the new aircraft will be delivered to the customer in a multi-purpose transport configuration in 2023. The C-295W is mainly used for cargo transportation, medical evacuation, and amphibious landings.
Airbus recently announced that it has received an order for three C-295s for an unnamed customer from the Asia-Pacific region. The new order from Thailand will increase the C-295 fleet in this region to 25 units.
As reported by TSAMTO, the intention of the Thai Air Force to purchase a third C-295W aircraft became known in February 2021. The purchase price is estimated at 1.35 billion rubles. baht ($44.6 million). The new aircraft will join the previously delivered C-295W at the Army Aviation Center in Lopburi Province.
The first BTA C295W (sr 16150) was ordered in September 2015 and officially delivered to the Thai Air Force on 9 June 2016. Presumably, the cost of delivery was 1.25 billion rubles. baht ($36 million). The second aircraft (S. N. 19160) arrived at the Don Muang air base in December 2019. Both vehicles entered service with the 21st Aviation Battalion of the Army Aviation Center of the NE of Thailand. They complemented two Airbus C-212-300 aircraft that were delivered in 1996. Earlier it was reported that the total requirement of the SV of Thailand is four C-295W. Thus, in the coming years, we can expect the purchase of another aircraft.
Thanks to the winglets, the C-295W is able to carry more cargo over a longer range in hot and high-altitude conditions, resulting in 4% fuel savings and increased reliability in mountainous regions.
Airbus also offers the Thai Navy C-295 in a version of the maritime patrol aircraft.
