Spain’s military has ordered Airbus to purchase 16 C295 aircraft to strengthen the country’s anti-submarine warfare and patrol capabilities, the manufacturer announced.
The purchase agreement includes a new medium-duty multi-role aircraft configured as both a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and a Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) for the Spanish Air Force and Spanish Navy. Airbus said the 1.695 euro ($1.8 billion) contract also includes a complete flight simulator, mission system simulator and an initial logistics support package.
The MPA aircraft will replace the country’s Lockheed P-3 Orion fleet, which was retired last year. The aircraft is responsible for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare. It will be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and will be able to carry torpedoes and other weapons systems.
“The aircraft will be completely designed and manufactured in Spain, promoting the nation’s industrial defense base and sovereignty,” said Mike Schellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space. “The maritime patrol version in particular is his most complex C295 mission configuration to date.”
The MSA-spec aircraft will replace the country’s CN-235 VIGMA twin-engine military transport aircraft for anti-smuggling, anti-drug trafficking, and search-and-rescue missions.