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TheAirbus C295 (previouslyCASA C-295) is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed and initially manufactured by theSpanish aerospace companyCASA, which is now part of the European multinationalAirbus Defence and Space division.
Work on what would become the C-295 was started during the 1990s as a derivative of the successfulCASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft. On 28 November 1997, the prototype performed its maiden flight; quantity production commenced shortly thereafter. In April 1999, theSpanish Air Force became its launch customer with an order for nine military-configured C-295s; two years later, the type was declared operational with the service. Further orders for the C-295 would promptly follow. Following the incorporation of CASA into the pan-European aeronautical groupEADS in 2000, it was redesignated as theEADS CASA C-295. EADS rebranded itself as Airbus in 2015.
Both manufacturing and final assembly of the C-295 is normally performed at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities inSan Pablo Airport, located inSeville, Spain.[1][3] Additional manufacturing arrangements have been agreed with some customers. Since 2011,Indonesian Aerospace has produced the CN-295 under license at their facilities inBandung,Indonesia, via an industrial collaboration with Airbus Defence & Space.[4] During 2021, it was agreed that, as a part of a larger purchase, a batch of 40 C-295s for theIndian Air Force would be license-manufactured in India byTata Advanced Systems,[5] at its facility inVadodara,Gujarat. As a part of further order for theIndian Navy and theIndian Coast Guard, the facility will also process delivery of 12 more aircraft forMaritime Patrol roles.
Beyond its use as a tactical transporter, the C-295 is capable of performing a wide variety of missions effectively. These includeparachute and cargo dropping,electronic signals intelligence (ELINT),medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), andmaritime patrol. Some of the equipment for adapting the aircraft to performing various roles has been mounted ontopallets, allowing for its rapid installation and removal. On account of the lack of sales achieved by the CN-235 in the commercial aviation segment, although civil certification was obtained as to facilitate its use by government agencies, a commercial version of the C-295 was not pursued for some time by the company. It was not until 2017, over a decade after military-orientated C-295s had entered regular service, that the first contract for a civilian C-295 was finalised.
During November 1996, theSpanish aerospace companyCASA formally started development work on the C-295. It was derived from theCASA/IPTN CN-235, a Spanish–Indonesian transport aircraft; its principal differences were its stretched fuselage, a 50% increase in payload capacity and the adoption of more powerfulPratt & Whitney Canada PW127Gturboprop engines. On 28 November 1997, the first prototype made itsmaiden flight.[2] During April 1999, it was announced that the C-295's first order had been placed by theSpanish Air Force, which sought nine military transport aircraft. During December 1999, it wascertificated as airworthy by both the SpanishDirección General de Aviación Civil and the AmericanFederal Aviation Administration. In November 2001, deliveries began to the Spanish Air Force.[2]
During June 2012,Airbus Military announced several enhancements to the base C-295 design, changes included the adoption ofwinglets and an ability to carry theMarteanti-ship missile; a dedicatedairborne early warning and control variant was also planned.[6] In November 2015, a C-295 successfully demonstrated a new self-protection suite, which incorporated elements such as directionalinfraredcountermeasures fromElbit Systems and infrared passive airborne warning system.[7] During January 2016, Airbus was in the process of developing a newprobe-and-drogue aerial refuelling rig to be optionally installed in the centerline of the C295, facilitating the aerial refuelling of helicopters. Furthermore, the company was also implementing flap optimisations and other modifications upon the type to enable it to perform extremely short takeoff and landing capabilities.[8][9] In November 2019, it was announced that Airbus had selectedCollins Aerospace to integrate its Pro Line Fusion flight deck onto future C-295s, which shall reportedly reduce pilot workload and easily facilitate further upgrades via its modular design.[10]
In January 2022, it was announced that Airbus had flown its C295Flight Test Bed 2 Sky 2 for the first time; development of this upgraded aircraft was funded by theEuropean Union'sHorizon 2020 research program and it is intended to test various technologies related to future regional multi-mission aircraft. Modifications include a high-efficiency semi-morphing wing, dynamic winglets, a flat panelSATCOM antenna integrated into the upper fuselage, along with innovative flight controls for the primary control surfaces to achieve improved aerodynamics and contribute to a more efficient high-lift system. New materials and technologies were used to reduce the emission ofCO2,NOx, and noise alike; Airbus aims for 43% CO2 and 70%NOx reductions to be achieved in a typical search-and-rescue mission of 400 nautical miles, as well as 45% less noise during takeoff.[11][12]
The C-295 is a tactical transport aircraft, designed for the movement of personnel and cargo within military conditions. Accordingly, it can be operated from austere airstrips with minimal reliance on ground support infrastructures; it can reportedly be operated on soft ground without major issues even when heavily loaded. It has an auto-reverse capability, being able to turn 180º on runways as narrow as 12 metres wide. The dimensions of its cargo hold are 12.69 × 1.90 × 2.70 metres, roughly three metres longer in comparison to the preceding CN-235. It has sufficient volume to carry up to 71 soldiers, 24 stretchers along with up to seven medical attendants, five standard 2.7 m (108 in)pallets of cargo, or threeLand Rover-sized light vehicles. It is suitable for airdropping paratroopers and cargo on an 2.2 m (88 in)wide platform.[13]
The cockpit of the C-295 is furnished with dual controls, flown by a pilot and a co-pilot. It is typically equipped with the Highly Integrated Avionics System (HIAS), based on the digital Topdeck suite produced by the French avionics firmThales. It also features an Integrated Engine Data and Warning System that manages the engine and fuel systems and alerts pilots to detected faults along with other key information. AHoneywell RDR-1400Cweather radar is also typically installed to facilitateinstrument flight rules (IFR) operations. The avionics have been designed so that the aircraft can also be operated according to civil standards as well as military ones, includingFAR-25 requirements.[13]
Typically, the C-295 is powered by a pair ofPratt & Whitney Canada PW127Gturboprop engines, each capable of providing up to 1,972 kW (2,645 shp). These feature a modular design that facilitates easy access and reduced maintenance requirements, reportedly enabling up to 10,000 flight hours of uninterrupted operation before requiring servicing. The normal propellers used are six-bladed scimitar-shaped units, having a diameter of 3.89 m (12.8 ft) built fromcomposite materials byHamilton Standard.[citation needed]
The C-295 is equipped with a retractableundercarriage in a tricycle configuration, designed byMessier-Dowty. Two side fairings on the lower part of the fuselage accommodate the retracted main landing gear, while an alcove almost directly beneath the cockpit houses the forward landing gear. The undercarriage is durable enough to enable operations from semi-prepared runways. It is equipped witholeo–pneumaticshock absorbers, disc brakes capable of differential braking, and an anti-skid system.[citation needed]
The first order for the C-295 was for theSpanish Air Force: during 2000, the Future Medium Transport Aircraft II (FATAM II) program was launched, under which a batch of nine C-295s was ordered to take the place of eight CN-235s that had been converted from general transports into maritime patrol and search-and-rescue aircraft, their reassignment having noticeably depleted the service's medium transport fleet.[14]
The first export customer of the C-295 was thePolish Air Force, initially ordering eight aircraft in 2001, with deliveries commencing two years later. The service bought the type to supplement and eventually replace theirCold War-eraAntonov An-26 transports. Further C-295s were ordered by Poland, including to two each in both 2006 and 2007.[15] In June 2012, another five aircraft were ordered,[16] all of which were delivered by the end of 2013.[17] Polish C-295s are typically based atKraków-Balice Air Base. They have participated in overseas activities, includingNATO operations, such as humanitarian air efforts inKosovo in 2020.[18] A single C-295 is routinely deployed as a support aircraft for theOrlik Aerobatic Team, the Polish Air Force's aerial display unit.[19] One aircraft crashed on 23 January 2008.
Another key country for the C-295 has beenIndonesia.Indonesian Aerospace (Indonesian:PT Dirgantara Indonesia), which also locally manufactured the CN-235, performs the final assembly of C-295s for customers within Indonesia.[20] The company has been keen to secure a license that would allow it to produce the aircraft for export customers outside of the domestic market, although Airbus has been allegedly reluctant to agree terms for such an extension.[21] In September 2012, the first part of C-295s were delivered to theIndonesian Air Force. Further aircraft has since been delivered to the service to replace the agedFokker F27 fleet for tactical and logistical transport duties.[22][23][24]
During the 2010s,Egypt became the largest operator of the C-295, having a fleet of 21 aircraft as of April 2021.[25] In October 2010, the order of an initial three aircraft for tactical and logistical transport by Egypt was announced.[26] The first delivery was on 24 September 2011.[27] During January 2013, a follow-on order was signed for six more aircraft[28] and a further eight was ordered on 16 July 2014.[29] In early 2021, Egypt signed a five-year performance-based servicing agreement with Airbus regarding its C-295 fleet, which included the provision of material services, on-site support, and on-wing maintenance activities.[25]
While the vast majority of C-295 sales have been to military operators, it has been certified for civil purposes as well. During August 2018, it was announced that the Irish leasing companyStellwagen Group has leased a single C-295 toDAC Aviation International, it being the first civil operator of the type in Africa.[33][34] This aircraft has participated in humanitarian operations, such as the delivery of anti-cholera kits, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene goods toMozambique.[35]
The C-295 MPA was a candidate to replace the German Navy's P-3Cmaritime patrol aircraft, possibly as a stopgap solution from 2025 to 2032.[41] During 2021, it was speculated that a combined order with Spain could be achieved.[42] However, during July 2021, Germany announced that it had ordered fiveP-8 Poseidons to fulfill this need.[43] In June 2023, Spain approved the purchase of 16 C295W, six in the maritime patrol configuration, and ten in the maritime surveillance configuration.[44][45]
On 23 July 2012, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 56 transport aircraft to replace the ageingHS-748 Avro fleet of theIndian Air Force (IAF).[46] On 8 May 2013, theIndian Ministry of Defence had issued aRequest for Proposals (RFP) or a global tender to severaloriginal equipment manufacturers (OEMs), includingBoeing,Lockheed Martin,Airbus Defence & Space,Antonov,Saab,Ilyushin andAlenia Aermacchi. These OEMs were required to partner with an Indian Production Agency (IPA) to first deliver 16 off-the-shelf build and then manufacture 40 aircraft in the country within eight years of signing the contract. Reported competitors to the C-295 includedSaab 2000 (Saab would manufacture entire 56 units in India; not permitted by MoD),Ilyushin Il-214,Antonov An-132 (partnered withL&T). However, after the submission deadline crossed on 22 October 2014, the Tata–Airbus consortium was the only responder for the tender.[47][48][46] In February 2015, an independent panel was set up by the MoD to evaluate the sole bidder situation for the tender; the contract was worth around₹10,000crore (equivalent to₹150 billion or US$1.8 billion in 2023).[46][49]
On 8 September 2021, theCabinet Committee on Security cleared the procurement of 56 C-295Ws for the IAF. Of these, 16 aircraft would be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the contract's signing (by August 2025), while 40 more aircraft are to be manufactured in India byTata Advanced Systems Limited within the following ten years at a "Final Assembly Line" (FAL) inVadodara,Gujarat. All aircraft from the Tata Aircraft Complex are scheduled to be delivered between September 2026 and August 2031. Also, as per the contract, a D-levelMaintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will be set up in India before the completion of deliveries.[50][5][51] There will be atechnology transfer of up to 90% while the whole aircraft will be built in India from the 30th unit onwards in terms ofman hours. Around 14,000 parts are to be indigenised by Tata at an annual rate of 4,000; only some non-Airbus components like landing gear, engine, and avionics are not being indigenised.[52] The indigenous content for the initial 16 aircraft from Tata will be 48% and will rise to 75% for the last 24 C-295s. All aircraft feature an indigenouselectronic warfare suite manufactured byBharat Dynamics Limited andBharat Electronics. A full-mission simulator has been established atAgra AFS for training personnel.[53][54][55]
Indian Air Force's first C-295 at its home base in Vadodara
On 24 September 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth₹21,935 crore (equivalent to₹330 billion or US$3.9 billion in 2023) withAirbus Defence & Space to supply 56 C-295s. The fleet will boost the IAF's tactical airlift capability with the rear ramp for quick reaction and para dropping of troops & cargo and operations from semi-prepared strips, especially in theNorthern andNorth-Eastern sector andAndaman & Nicobar Islands.[56][57] The first C-295 was delivered to the IAF on 13 September 2023.[58] Between mid-2024 and August 2025, Spanish-built aircraft were delivered at a rate of roughly one per month until August 2025, followed by deliveries from the domestic plant in Vadodara.[55] On 28 October 2024, the Vadodara final assembly line was inaugurated byPrime MinisterNarendra Modi and SpanishPrime MinisterPedro Sanchez.[59]
On 30 January 2025, a C-295 was inducted into a flying squadron of theAgra Air Force Station under the aegis of theCentral Air Command. The ceremony, attended by high-ranking civilian and military dignitaries, featured aflypast of the transport aircraft flanked by twoSu-30MKI and awater-cannon salute while the C-295 taxied into its squadron premises. The squadron will "enhance the training ofpara commandos andspecial forces, enabling them to deployed in realistic scenarios to address any threats from across the borders or respond to contingencies that requires swift and reliable domestic response". The rest of the fleet is to be inducted at the rate of 12 units per year.[60][61] Reportedly, India is planning to place an order for 10 more C-295s.[62] The last Spanish-origin C-295 was received by an Indian envoy in Spain's Seville on 2 August 2025, two months ahead of schedule.[63]
On 16 February 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council approved a proposal to procure nineMedium-RangeMaritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMRA) for theIndian Navy and sixMulti-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) for theIndian Coast Guard based on C-295MW transport aircraft. The project is worth around₹29,000crore (US$3.4 billion). They are to bemade in India by the Tata-Airbus tie-up in order to complement the existing fleet ofBoeing P-8I Neptune andHAL 228.[64][65][66] The MPAs for the Navy and the Coast Guard is being developed byDefence Research and Development Organisation. Of these 15 aircraft, three will be delivered in fly-away condition from Spain for urgent developmental purposes, while the remaining 12 will be delivered by the TASL plant. TASL plans to have 78% indigenous content for the 12 MPA aircraft.[53][54][67] The weapon systems of the variants will includeNASM-SR,NASM-MR andTorpedo Advanced Light Shyena as well as air-launchedsonobuoys.[68][69]
In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence issued a tender or aRequest for Proposal (RfP) for the procurement of MRMRA/MMMA aircraft for the Navy and the Coast Guard. The deadline to submit the commercial bid is December.[70]
Military transport version. Capacity for 71 troops, 48 paratroops, 27 stretchers, five 2.24 × 2.74 m (88 × 108 inches) pallets, or three light vehicles.[2][71]
Upgraded model, equipped with wingtip devices (winglets) to improve performance in the takeoff, climb, and cruise phases of flight by increasing the lift-drag ratio.[78]
C-295 ISR
Armed variant equipped with machine guns, small-caliber automatic cannons, rocket launchers, laser-guided bombs, and anti-tank missiles.[79][80]
The C-295 is in service with the armed forces of 36 countries. By 31 March 2025, 309 C-295s had been ordered with 232 in service and three lost in accidents.[22]
TheBrazilian Air Force received 13 C-295s, designatedC-105A Amazonas, to replace their ageing DHC-5/C-115 Buffalo transports. Additional orders are to raise the total to 15 by 2020.[84][90][91]
TheRoyal Brunei Air Force is to become the 39th operator of the C-295 aircraft worldwide and the eighth in the Asia-Pacific region. A total of four aircraft have been ordered and the first two will be delivered in January 2024.[92][93][94]
TheRoyal Canadian Air Force ordered 16 CC-295s in 2016 to replace its ageing fleet ofCC-115 Buffalos and older-modelC-130H Hercules search and rescue aircraft.[36] All aircraft were expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.[96] However, initial operating capability is delayed until 2025 or 2026.[97] Additional trainer aircraft for maintenance personnel arrived in 2020 without SAR equipment.[39] The aircraft entered operational service on May 1, 2025.[98][99] 8 CC-295 as of May 2025[100]: 32
TheColombian Air Force operates six C-295s; the last of the original four was delivered in April 2009. The fifth aircraft was ordered in September 2012 and delivered 14 March 2013.[22] The sixth aircraft was ordered in January 2013, entering service before 31 August 2015.[22]
Indian Air Force – 16 delivered, out of total 56 C-295MW ordered.[63] While 16 were manufactured by Airbus in Spain the rest of 40 would be built byTata Advanced Systems in India, with the first Indian-assembled C-295 expected to roll out by September 2026. 50 more planned as replacement for olderAn-32s.[53][108]
TheIndonesian Air Force operates 10 C-295s for tactical and logistical transport. One of them are of the maritime patrol variant, having replaced its elderlyFokker F27 Friendships.
TheIrish Air Corps ordered two C-295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft in December 2019 to replace their CN-235 aircraft.[112] On 27 June 2023, the Irish Air Corps took delivery of their first C-295 aircraft.[113] In December 2022, a contract was signed for a third C-295 Military Transport Aircraft variant which arrived in October 2025.[114]
ThePhilippine Air Force 6 Units Active[119]1 C-295W Damaged in 2024,[120] operates four C-295M delivered in 2015[121][122][123] and three C-295W delivered in 2019.[124][125] They are operated under the 220th Airlift Wing of the Air Mobility Command.[126]
C-295 of the Polish Air Force at theRadom Air Show in 2005
TheSpanish Air and Space Force operates 13 C-295s (designated internally T.21).[citation needed] In June 2023, a further 16 units, 6 in MPA configuration and 10 in MSA configuration, were ordered to replace the force's recently retiredP-3 Orion and theCN-235 D.4 aircraft.[44][45]
On 31 October 2011, the Czech Army grounded its fleet of four C-295Ms due to an in-flight equipment failure onboard one aircraft. While landing, one of its two engines stopped working. Prior to this, a cockpit display and other equipment had also failed. The plane landed safely on its remaining engine. General Vlastimil Picek ordered the grounding of all aircraft until an inquiry ended. The fleet was previously grounded in February 2011, following a severe drop in altitude in mid-flight, and again in May due to avionics problems.[141]
On 9 November 2012, anAlgerian Air Force C-295 crashed in theLozère region of southern France while flying from Paris to Algeria with the loss of all six people on board.[142]
On 1 November 2024, aPhilippine Air Force C-295 suffered a detached front nose landing geartyre upon landing atBasco Airport onBatanes island. The cargo transport plane was carrying family food packs and other relief goods for the residents of Batanes who were battered bytyphoon "Leon" a few days earlier. No injuries were reported among the military crew members. The cause of the incident was being investigated.[143][144]
Capacity: 70 soldiers, 48 paratroops, 24 stretchers along with up to seven medical attendants, five standard 108"pallets of cargo, or threeLand Rover-sized light vehicles.
Cabin Dimensions: 12.69 × 2.70 × 1.90 meters (41.63 x 8.858 x 6.23 feet)
Length: 24.50 m (80 ft)
Wing span: 27.59 m (91 ft)
Height: 8.66 m (28 ft)
Maximum Payload: 9,000 kg (19,842 lb)
Maximum takeoff weight: 23,200 kg (51,147 lb)
Maximum landing weight: 23,200 kg (51,147 lb)
Fuel Capacity: 7,500 L (2,000 US gal; 1,600 imp gal)
Rebelo, Colonel PILAV Hélder Martins; Rocha, Major NAV Rui; Martins, Major NAV Vítor Lazera (November–December 2012)."ISR – A exploração integrada dos sistemas de armas C-295M e P-3C/CUP+" [ISR – The integrated exploration of the C-295M and P-3C/CUP+ weapon systems](PDF).Mais Alto (in Portuguese) (400):5–16. Retrieved21 July 2013.
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