SINGAPORE—Airbus has bolstered its backlog for its twin-turboprop C295 airlifter with orders for four more aircraft from the Asia-Pacific region, including one for Thailand.
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) will add one more C295W to its existing fleet of two aircraft, Airbus announced June 21. Delivery for the additional RTA aircraft is expected to begin from 2023 with the aircraft configured for utility transport missions.
The RTA’s two CN295Ws are operated by the 21st Aviation Battalion and more commonly used in airborne operation training, including static line jump and military freefall.
“This additional order from the Thai Ministry of Defense speaks strongly of its continued confidence in our proven military transport capabilities,” said Johan Pelissier, head of Asia Pacific at Airbus Defense and Space.
Airbus also revealed it has secured an order for three C295s from an undisclosed customer in the region. The company has not said if the buyer is making a follow-up order or if it is a new client.
Other operators of the aircraft in Southeast Asia include Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Separately, the Royal Malaysian Air Force has engaged Indonesia’s PT Dirgantara Indonesia to convert two CN235 in transport configuration into maritime patrol aircraft in 2020, thus leaving a gap for medium tactical transport aircraft. Airbus confirmed in 2019 that it is participating in the future maritime patrol aircraft program. Aviation Week Fleet Data Services shows that there are 61 CN235/295s in service within the Asia-Pacific region, with the largest fleet being South Korea’s 24 aircraft operating with air force and coast guard units.
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