“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,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “With this contract, the Spanish Air and Space Force will operate a fleet of 46 C295s in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance configurations.”
The transport-configured C295 can carry up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers and is capable of operating from unprepared runways, conducting cargo and paratrooper drops and performing medical evacuation missions. To meet Spanish Air and Space Force requirements, the agreement is split into two batches with different operational roles.
The first batch will be assigned to training and transport duties at the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca, replacing CN235 aircraft currently in service. Deliveries for this group are scheduled to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2028.
The second batch will support manual and automatic paratrooper and cargo drops at the Military Parachuting School at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia, replacing C212 aircraft. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2032.
The agreement also includes an integrated ground training system featuring flight simulators, computer-aided teaching tools and training management software for schools in Salamanca and Murcia. In addition, Airbus will provide comprehensive fleet support at the Military Transport School, including maintenance and training centre management, through to December 2032.
The C295 has accumulated 329 orders from 38 countries worldwide and more than 710,000 flight hours. All aircraft are assembled at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain.
