Recently, the Philippine Air Force took delivery of its third Airbus Defence & Space C295 medium transport. This aircraft completes the nation’s April 2014 order, the first having been delivered in March 2015. Built at the company’s facility at Sevilla, Spain, the turboprop twin was ferried to Clark Air Base to join the other two C295s as part of a program to recapitalize the PAF, which has also seen the recent delivery of the first two of 12 KAI FA-50 light fighters. The Philippines is shortly to take delivery of two former U.S. Navy C-130T Hercules to further swell its transport fleet.

For Airbus, the C295 has been a good seller, and has also been sold in the region to Vietnam and Indonesia, where the type is assembled by PTDI. As well as its transport capabilities, the aircraft can be adapted to various special missions, including maritime patrol, with anti-ship capability, anti-submarine warfare, airborne early warning and surveillance. There is even a gunship version, developed in conjunction with ATK for the Jordanian air force.

Airbus secured its first 2016 order for the C295 last month when Mali signed for one aircraft, becoming the type’s 23rd customer nation in the process. The Malian aircraft is in the C295W current production version, which has higher engine power ratings and is fitted with winglets for increased performance and greater fuel efficiency. The Mali Air Force is scheduled to take delivery of its aircraft in transport configuration in the second half of this year.