Spain Orders 18 C295 Airlifters, 100 Airbus Helicopters

Spain has approved contracts for 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft and 100 Airbus helicopters as part of a defence modernisation drive aimed at replacing ageing fleets.

The Spanish defence ministry said the 18 C295s will replace CN235 and C212 aircraft used to train pilots and paratroopers of the Spanish Air and Space Force. “With this contract, the Spanish Air and Space Force will operate a fleet of 46 C295s in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance configurations,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space.

Configured for transport, the C295 can carry up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers, operate from unprepared runways, conduct cargo and paratrooper drops and perform medical evacuation missions. Deliveries will be split into two phases.

Aircraft assigned to the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca will replace CN235s between 2026 and 2028, while aircraft for paratrooper and cargo drop missions at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia will replace C212s between 2030 and 2032.

The contract covers provision of flight simulators, computer-based training systems and training management software for schools in Salamanca and Murcia, along with fleet maintenance, material management and training centre support through December 2032.

In a separate procurement, Spain is ordering 100 Airbus helicopters through four contracts managed by the Directorate General for Armament and Material under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May. The order includes 13 H135 helicopters for the Air and Space Force and Navy, 50 H145M helicopters for the Army, six H175M helicopters for the Air and Space Force and 31 NH90 helicopters split across the Army, Air and Space Force and Navy for transport, manoeuvre, special operations and amphibious missions.

The Ministry said the helicopter programme will expand Airbus Helicopters’ industrial footprint in Spain, including new customisation and training facilities in Albacete, and is expected to create more than 300 direct jobs over the next three years, alongside investments in digital, software and maintenance capabilities supporting Spain’s military helicopter fleets.