Airbus has announced that Spain’s Ministry of Defence has ordered 18 C295 transport aircraft to modernise the fleets currently used by the Spanish Air and Space Force for pilot and paratrooper training. The new aircraft will replace the CN235 and C212, aligning with a wider European focus on sustaining operational readiness, troop mobility, and robust training capabilities. Beyond recapitalising ageing platforms, the programme is intended to standardise Spain’s light tactical airlift fleet around a single aircraft type, reducing complexity in operations and support.
The order covers the transport configuration of the C295, Airbus’ twin-engine turboprop tactical airlifter designed to handle routine passenger transport, cargo lift, and airborne training missions. Airbus states that the aircraft can accommodate up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers and is capable of conducting cargo and personnel airdrops as well as medical evacuation missions. Designed to operate from short or unprepared runways, the C295 is well suited to dispersed training locations and austere operating environments. With a maximum payload of up to eight tonnes, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, and an endurance of up to 13 hours depending on the mission, the aircraft offers flexibility for extended training and multi-sector transport tasks.
Spain’s selection reflects long-term continuity in its use of the C295 and reinforces the aircraft’s industrial base at home. Airbus notes that the Spanish Air and Space Force will ultimately operate 46 C295 aircraft across transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance missions, signalling a deliberate strategy built around a common platform and shared support infrastructure. The manufacturer also points to the aircraft’s international footprint, with more than 710,000 flight hours accumulated and 329 orders placed by 38 countries worldwide. Final assembly of the C295 is carried out at Airbus Defence and Space’s Seville facility, supporting Spain’s domestic aerospace sector.
The delivery plan is structured around two specialised training locations, clarifying how the aircraft will be integrated into service. The first batch will be deployed to the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca, where the aircraft will support pilot training and routine transport of personnel, paratroopers, and cargo. Deliveries for this tranche are scheduled between 2026 and 2028, replacing the CN235 fleet. A second batch, focused on manual and automatic paratrooper and cargo drop missions, will be delivered to the Military Parachuting School at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia from 2030 to 2032, replacing the C212 aircraft currently assigned to that role.
