Airbus Receives Another C295 Order For Royal Thai Navy

AIRBUS Defence and Space has received another order from Thailand, this time from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for two Airbus C295 in an enhanced transport configuration that will enable surveillance and search and rescue (SAR) missions, on top of the logistic operations for Thailand. 

This builds on another contract from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) earlier this week for two of the same aircraft, adding on the three aircraft already operated by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) performing cargo and troop transport missions since 2016. The C295 has become the tactical transport aircraft of reference for the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF).

The two C295s for the RTN to be operated from the U-Tapao air base in Sattahip, will be able to detect, classify, and identify targets at sea or on land, operating effectively in both day and night conditions as they will be equipped with an electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensor suite. They will be assembled at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain, with the first delivery scheduled by the end of 2028.

A total of 90 C295s have been ordered by seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The C295 is the global leader in its segment, holding 85% of the market share with 335 orders from 39 countries across four continents. To date, the global C295 fleet has achieved 750,000 flight hours. 

Also in the region, Brunei is the most recent recipient of its final two C295MW aircraft, delivered by Airbus Defence and Space on April 20. Brunei signed a deal with Airbus in December 2022 for a total of four C295MWs to supersede the CN235-110M which has served in the RBAF in various capacities.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:AIRBUS)