EADS CASA C-295

The Airbus C295 (previously CASA C-295) is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed and initially manufactured by the Spanish aerospace company CASA, which is now part of the European multinational Airbus Defence and Space division.
Work on what would become the C-295 was started during the 1990s as a derivative of the successful CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft. On 28 November 1997, the prototype performed its maiden flight; quantity production commenced shortly thereafter. In April 1999, the Spanish 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 group EADS in 2000, it was redesignated as the EADS 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 in San Pablo Airport, located in Seville, Spain. Additional manufacturing arrangements have been agreed with some customers. Since 2011, Indonesian Aerospace has produced the CN-295 under license at their facilities in Bandung, Indonesia, via an industrial collaboration with Airbus Defence & Space. During 2021, it was agreed that, as a part of a larger purchase, a batch of 40 C-295s for the Indian Air Force would be license-manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems, at its facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. As a part of further order for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, the facility will also process delivery of 12 more aircraft for Maritime Patrol roles.
Beyond its use as a tactical transporter, the C-295 is capable of performing a wide variety of missions effectively. These include parachute and cargo dropping, electronic signals intelligence (ELINT), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and maritime patrol. Some of the equipment for adapting the aircraft to performing various roles has been mounted onto pallets, 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.
The C-295 has been acquired by multiple nations including India, Spain, Egypt, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Ireland and others.
During November 1996, the Spanish aerospace company CASA formally started development work on the C-295. It was derived from the CASA/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 powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines. On 28 November 1997, the first prototype made its maiden flight. During April 1999, it was announced that the C-295's first order had been placed by the Spanish Air Force, which sought nine military transport aircraft. During December 1999, it was certificated as airworthy by both the Spanish Dirección General de Aviación Civil and the American Federal Aviation Administration. In November 2001, deliveries began to the Spanish Air Force.
During June 2012, Airbus Military announced several enhancements to the base C-295 design, changes included the adoption of winglets and an ability to carry the Marte anti-ship missile; a dedicated airborne early warning and control variant was also planned. In November 2015, a C-295 successfully demonstrated a new self-protection suite, which incorporated elements such as directional infrared countermeasures from Elbit Systems and infrared passive airborne warning system. During January 2016, Airbus was in the process of developing a new probe-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. In November 2019, it was announced that Airbus had selected Collins 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.
In January 2022, it was announced that Airbus had flown its C295 Flight Test Bed 2 Sky 2 for the first time; development of this upgraded aircraft was funded by the European Union's Horizon 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 panel SATCOM 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 of CO2, 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.
The EADS CASA 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 meters wide. The dimensions of its cargo hold, 12.69 × 1.90 × 2.70 meters, are roughly three meters 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 108" pallets of cargo, or three Land Rover-sized light vehicles. It is suitable for airdropping paratroopers and cargo on 88-inch-wide platforms.
The C-295 has also been designed to facilitate multi-role operations and has been produced in a wide range of configurations. Numerous customers have opted to arm their aircraft to perform intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, being outfitted with various sensors such as a multi-mission radar unit; it can even be equipped as a gunship and tasked with providing close air support to ground forces. When appropriately furnished, the C-295 can conduct electronic signals intelligence (ELINT), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) duties. Palletised equipment, enabling its rapid installation and removal, is available to outfit the aircraft for use as a VIP transport, aerial refuelling tanker, and water bomber.
The cockpit of the C-295 is furnished with dual controls, having been intended to be 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 firm Thales. 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. A Honeywell RDR-1400C weather radar is also typically installed to facilitate instrument 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, including the stringent FAR-25 requirements.
Typically, the C-295 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, each capable of providing up to 2,645 SHP (1,972 kW). 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 meters and built from composite materials by Hamilton Standard.
The C-295 is equipped with a retractable undercarriage in a tricycle configuration, designed by Messier-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 with oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers, disc brakes capable of differential braking, and an anti-skid system.
The first order for the C-295 was for the Spanish 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.
The first export customer of the C-295 was the Polish Air Force, initially ordering eight aircraft in 2001, with deliveries commencing two years later. The service bought the type to supplement and eventually replace their Cold War-era Antonov An-26 transports. Further C-295s were ordered by Poland, including to two each in both 2006 and 2007. In June 2012, another five aircraft were ordered, all of which were delivered by the end of 2013. Polish C-295s are typically based at Kraków-Balice Air Base. They have participated in overseas activities, including NATO operations, such as humanitarian air efforts in Kosovo in 2020. A single C-295 is routinely deployed as a support aircraft for the Orlik Aerobatic Team, the Polish Air Force's aerial display unit. One aircraft crashed on 23 January 2008.
Another key country for the C-295 has been Indonesia. Indonesian Aerospace (Indonesian: PT Dirgantara Indonesia), which also locally manufactured the CN-235, performs the final assembly of C-295s for customers within Indonesia. 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. In September 2012, the first part of C-295s were delivered to the Indonesian Air Force. Further aircraft has since been delivered to the service to replace the aged Fokker F27 fleet for tactical and logistical transport duties.
During the 2010s, Egypt became the largest operator of the C-295, having a fleet of 21 aircraft as of April 2021. In October 2010, the order of an initial three aircraft for tactical and logistical transport by Egypt was announced. The first delivery was on 24 September 2011. During January 2013, a follow-on order was signed for six more aircraft and a further eight was ordered on 16 July 2014. 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.
A major competitor for export sales of the C-295 has been the C-27J Spartan, manufactured previously by Alenia Aeronautica (2006–2012) and Alenia Aermacchi (2012–2016), and now by Leonardo S.p.A. The C-295 was a major bidder for the US Army–US Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) programme but lost to the L-3 Communications/Alenia team for the C-27J in June 2007. The C-295 was reportedly considered by the US Army to pose a greater risk due to its use of a new operational mode to meet altitude and range requirements. Among other contracts the C-295 lost to the C-27J are the Peruvian Air Force's Antonov An-32 replacement and the Royal Australian Air Force's de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou replacement.
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 company Stellwagen Group has leased a single C-295 to DAC Aviation International, it being the first civil operator of the type in Africa. This aircraft has participated in humanitarian operations, such as the delivery of anti-cholera kits, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene goods to Mozambique.
In 2016, after a 12-year purchasing process that involved three different Canadian federal governments, the Royal Canadian Air Force ordered 16 CC-295s as the replacement search and rescue aircraft for its aging fleets of CC-115 Buffalo and older-model C-130H Hercules. The first plane, painted in Canadian SAR livery, was nearly complete and finished testing at the factory in late 2019. The first operational aircraft arrived in Canada in September 2020, and deliveries continued until 2022. The planes operate from Greenwood, Nova Scotia (413 Transport and Rescue Squadron); Trenton, Ontario (424 Transport and Rescue Squadron); Winnipeg, Manitoba (435 Transport and Rescue Squadron); and Comox, British Columbia (442 Transport and Rescue Squadron and 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron). The aircraft's primary training centre is located at CFB Comox, where Airbus set up the RCAF Search & Rescue Training Facility for the CC-295. Another aircraft, that arrived in January 2020, is a trainer for the maintenance personnel, and is not included in the 16 aircraft ordered. The aircraft will not be used operationally until 2025 or 2026 because of delays caused by issues with the aircraft's equipment and software.
The C-295 MPA was a candidate to replace the German Navy's P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, possibly as a stopgap solution from 2025 to 2032. During 2021, it was speculated that a combined order with Spain could be achieved. However, during July 2021, Germany announced that it had ordered five P-8 Poseidons to fulfill this need. In June 2023, Spain approved the purchase of 16 C295W, six in the maritime patrol configuration, and ten in the maritime surveillance configuration.
On 23 July 2012, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 56 transport aircraft to replace the ageing HS-748 Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force.
On 8 May 2013, the Indian Ministry of Defence had issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a global tender to several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence & Space, Antonov, Saab, Ilyushin and Alenia 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. The major competitors for C-295 included Saab 2000 (Saab would manufacture entire 56 units in India; not permitted by MoD), Ilyshin Il-214, Antonov An-132 (partnered with L&T). However, after the submission deadline crossed on 22 October 2014, it was reported on 1 November that Tata-Airbus consortium was the only responder for the tender.
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 ₹10,000 crore (equivalent to ₹150 billion or US$1.8 billion in 2023).
On 8 September 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the procurement of 56 C-295Ws for the Indian Air Force. Of these, 16 aircraft would be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the contract's signing (by August 2025), while the rest of 40 aircraft are to be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited within the following ten years at a "Final Assembly Line" (FAL) in Vadodara, 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-level Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will be set up in India before the completion of deliveries.
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) with Airbus Defence & Space to supply 56 C-295 aircraft for the IAF. The fleet will replace the legacy Avro fleet and would be a boost to 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 the Northern and North-Eastern sector and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The indigenous content for the initial 16 aircraft from the Tata Aircraft Complex will be 48% while the value will be raised to 75% for the last 24 aircraft. All aircraft feature an indigenous electronic warfare suite manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics. According to a report, "Aero engine and avionics are sourced by Airbus from other OEM, the other structural parts will mostly be made in India, sources said. Precisely, of 14,000 detailed parts used in each aircraft, 13,000 would be made in India from raw material. A total of 37 companies have already been identified by Airbus, of these 33 are MSMEs". A full-mission simulator has been established at Agra AFS for training personnel.
The first C-295 was delivered to the IAF on 13 September 2023. This was followed by the delivery of second and third aircraft on 4 and 28 May 2024, respectively. The fourth (CA 7104) and fifth (CA 7105) were delivered on 5 July 2024. The sixth was delivered by 28 October 2024. The remaining ten aircraft will be delivered at a rate of one per month until August 2025, followed by deliveries from Vadodara plant.
On 16 February 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council approved a proposal to procure nine Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMRA) for the Indian Navy and six Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) for the Indian Coast Guard based on C-295MW transport aircraft. The project is worth around ₹29,000 crore (US$3.4 billion). They are to be made in India by the Tata-Airbus tie-up in order to complement the existing fleet of Boeing P-8I Neptune and HAL 228. The MPAs for the Navy and the Coast Guard is being developed by Defence 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. The weapon systems of the variants will include NASM-SR, NASM-MR and Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL) as well as air-launched sonobuoys.
On 28 October 2024, the final assembly line for the aircraft was inaugurated in Vadodara, Gujarat, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
On 30 January 2025, a C-295 was inducted into a flying squadron of the Agra Air Force Station under the aegis of the Central Air Command. The ceremony, attended by high-ranking civilian and military dignitaries, featured a flypast of the transport aircraft flanked by two Su-30MKI and a water-connon salute while the C-295 taxied into its squadron premises. The squadron will "enhance the training of para commandos and special 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" as per a report. The rest of the aircraft is to be inducted at the rate of 12 units per year. Reportedly, India is planning to place an order for 10 more C-295 aircraft.
The C-295 is in service with the armed forces of 36 countries. By 31 August 2015, 136 C-295s had been ordered with 134 in service and two lost in accidents.
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