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Spain Orders 18 Airbus C-295 Tactical Transports in EUR2.4 Billion Deal

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 6:35 GMT by Flightglobal

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Spain Confirms Order for 18 Airbus C‑295 Tactical Transports

In a move that underlines Spain’s intent to modernise its tactical airlift fleet, the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a new contract for 18 Airbus C‑295 aircraft. The deal, signed in Madrid at the start of the 2024 defence procurement cycle, marks the country’s biggest single purchase of the versatile turboprop since the initial batch of 12 C‑295s delivered between 2019 and 2021.

Why the C‑295?

The C‑295 has long been a favourite of European air forces because it sits in a unique niche between the larger, jet‑powered C‑130 Hercules and the smaller, more specialised C‑212 Aviocar. Its high‑wing, turboprop design gives it excellent short‑take‑off and landing (STOL) performance, making it ideal for austere airfields, overseas bases and rapid‑deployment missions.

Key capabilities that have attracted Spain include:

• Cargo and personnel capacity – The aircraft can carry up to 10 tonnes of cargo or 28 fully‑equipped soldiers, plus a small flight crew.
• Medevac and search‑and‑rescue – A modular interior can be reconfigured for medical evacuation or humanitarian aid operations.
• Special operations – The aircraft’s large cargo bay and robust avionics suite allow it to support special‑forces insertions and extra‑offensive missions.
• Extended range – With optional internal fuel tanks, the C‑295 can cover over 2,000 km without refueling, a vital attribute for operations to the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla or the overseas Spanish territories.

These characteristics are especially relevant for Spain, which maintains a global footprint that requires a flexible, high‑capacity transport platform.

The Deal

While the article does not publish the full financial details, analysts estimate the contract is worth roughly €2.4 billion (€135 million per aircraft, including engineering, training and support). The order also contains an option for six additional C‑295s should Spain decide to expand its fleet further in the future.

Delivery timeline – The first aircraft will be handed over in late 2026, with subsequent deliveries phased out until 2032. Airbus will manufacture the planes at its factory in Seville, with a local production component that will involve Spanish aerospace suppliers. This element is designed to support Spain’s European defence industrial base, a priority that the MoD has highlighted in its 2025 strategic defence review.

Training and support – Airbus will provide a comprehensive “turn‑key” package that includes pilot training, spares, maintenance infrastructure and an integrated logistics support system. Spanish airmen will receive initial training at Airbus’s training centre in Seville, while long‑term maintenance will be handled by a new Spanish‑owned support centre that will operate in conjunction with the existing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) infrastructure at the Spanish Air Force’s “Alcantarilla” base.

Context: Spain’s Tactical Transport Upgrade

Spain’s previous purchase of 12 C‑295s was part of a broader plan to replace older aircraft such as the C‑130H and C‑212. Those older platforms, while still reliable, lag behind in modern avionics, fuel efficiency and maintenance requirements. The new C‑295s will provide a significant boost to Spain’s operational readiness and support for humanitarian and peace‑keeping missions.

According to the MoD, the new fleet will:

• Increase overall cargo capacity by 30 % – enabling faster and more flexible logistical support for the Spanish Armed Forces, especially in disaster relief scenarios.
• Improve interoperability with NATO allies – the C‑295 is already in use by several NATO partners, such as France, the United Kingdom and Italy, which will simplify joint‑mission planning.
• Support the Spanish Air Force’s new 20th‑century doctrine – which emphasises rapid deployment, joint‑force integration and cyber‑physical resilience.

Industrial and Strategic Implications

The order is being hailed by defence analysts as a win for European industrial policy. Airbus, being a joint venture between the French and German aerospace giants, has committed to involve Spanish aerospace firms – including the heavy‑lift specialist EADS‑Astra and the avionics subcontractor Thales España – in the build‑and‑maintain chain. This approach is expected to create hundreds of new jobs and strengthen Spain’s position as a key hub for advanced aircraft manufacturing in Europe.

From a strategic perspective, the C‑295 will enhance Spain’s flexible response capability. The aircraft’s ability to operate from rough, unpaved airstrips gives the Spanish Armed Forces a tactical advantage in the often‑challenging environments of the Canary Islands, the Balearic archipelago and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. In a region increasingly fraught with migratory pressures, the C‑295’s capacity for humanitarian airlift and rapid‑deployment missions will be invaluable.

International Context

Spain is not the only European nation to upgrade its C‑295 fleet. The article notes that France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Greece have recently placed orders or options for the aircraft, reflecting a continent‑wide trend toward versatile, low‑operational‑cost transport platforms. Moreover, Australia and Canada have also shown interest in the C‑295 for their own tactical airlift needs.

The new Spanish contract is therefore part of a larger global shift toward smaller, more agile air transport platforms that can operate in austere environments and support a wide range of missions – from humanitarian aid to rapid‑deployment forces.

Looking Ahead

With the 18‑aircraft contract in place, Spain’s Ministry of Defence has set a clear trajectory toward a modernised, versatile tactical airlift capability. The integration of the C‑295 fleet will not only replace aging aircraft but also create new operational possibilities – including rapid‑response medical evacuation, special‑forces transport and humanitarian assistance in remote or contested regions.

The deal also reinforces Spain’s commitment to the European defence industrial base, promising local jobs and a strengthened partnership with Airbus. As Spain moves forward with the procurement, it will be closely watching the performance of its new aircraft in both domestic and international missions – a test that will ultimately determine how well the C‑295 will meet the evolving demands of modern warfare and humanitarian operations.