Spain is modernizing its light tactical airlift and training fleet with an order for 18 Airbus C295 aircraft, replacing older CN235 and C212 platforms that have supported pilot and paratrooper training for decades. The move aligns with a renewed emphasis among European air forces on daily readiness and resilient training pipelines. Beyond fleet renewal, the program is designed to standardize Spain’s light transport capability around a single, versatile aircraft type. The C295 transport variant selected by Spain is capable of carrying up to 70 passengers or 50 paratroopers and supports a wide range of missions, including cargo drops, medical evacuation, and operations from austere or unprepared runways. With two PW127G turboprop engines and endurance reaching up to 13 hours, the aircraft is well suited for long training sorties and multi-leg transport missions. Airbus highlights that the C295 can carry payloads of up to eight tonnes, providing flexibility across routine and specialized tasks. Spain’s decision also reinforces its existing C295 ecosystem. Once all aircraft are delivered, the Spanish Air and Space Force will field 46 C295s across multiple mission sets, benefiting from common logistics and training. The program will be executed in two phases, with aircraft delivered to Matacán Air Base from 2026 for pilot training and transport, followed by deliveries to Alcantarilla Air Base from 2030 to support paratrooper training, replacing the C212 fleet.
