TSAMTO, December 22nd. Airbus Defense and Space has signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defense for the supply of 16 C-295 aircraft. The cost of the order is 1.695 billion. euro.
According to the company, the contract provides for the supply of 10 aircraft in the maritime surveillance version (MSA) and six vehicles in the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) version.
The aircraft will be assembled at the Airbus facility in Seville. The new C-295s will allow the Spanish Air Force and Navy to strengthen their anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as well as surveillance, reconnaissance and search and rescue support capabilities.
As stated, the aircraft will be fully designed and assembled in Spain, which will contribute to the development of the national defense industry. In particular, the MPA version represents the most complex configuration of the C-295 to date.
The contract also includes the supply of a training system (Full Flight Simulator and Mission System Simulator) and an initial logistics support package.
The C-295 MPA will perform the tasks assigned to the P-3 Orion, which was decommissioned at the end of 2022. It will be equipped to perform anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, information gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. The C-295 MPA will carry weapons, including 2-4 Mk-46/Mk-54 torpedoes, and up to 60 sonar buoys. The maximum flight range will be 2,000 nautical miles.
The MPA configuration can be used in conjunction with other platforms in different domains. Thus, the aircraft can become a flying command and combat control center, providing the Spanish Armed Forces with the opportunity to perform a wide range of tasks.
The C-295 MSA is a replacement for the CN-235 VIGMA fleet, which has been in service with the Spanish Air Force since 2008. It will be equipped to conduct operations over sea and land, including countering smuggling, illegal migration, drug trafficking, and support search and rescue operations.
The platforms will be largely unified. Currently, the Spanish Air Force also has 13 C-295 aircraft in a transport configuration.
As reported by CAMTO, in September 2023, the Spanish government approved the conclusion of a contract for the supply of 16 C-295 aircraft to the country's Aerospace Forces in two versions, including 10 units. in the version of the Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) and the six – marine patrol aircraft. This allowed the Ministry of Defense to sign a contract with Airbus Defense and Space.
According to the plans, the first version of the maritime patrol aircraft will be delivered. The delivery of the maritime surveillance version of the aircraft will begin in 2028. The program will end in 2031.
The C-295W MPA will replace the decommissioned P-3 Orion. Although the C-295 is inferior to them in terms of duration and range, it is equipped with all the necessary equipment and weapons to perform basic tasks, including anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance. The C-295 MSA will replace 8 CN-235 aircraft used for maritime surveillance.
Indra, Saes, Tecnobit, Sainsel and others will also participate in the program. As previously reported, both aircraft will be equipped with the latest version of the integrated tactical system FITS (Full Integrated Tactical System), new special sensors, including radar and electron-optical cameras.
