Royal Thai Navy orders two more Airbus C295 aircraft for transport, surveillance, and search and rescue missions

The order follows a recent contract with the Royal Thai Air Force for two C295 aircraft. It also adds to the three C295s already operated by the Royal Thai Army for cargo and troop transport missions since 2016.

Airbus said the C295 has become the tactical transport aircraft of reference for the Thai Armed Forces. The Royal Thai Navy aircraft will be operated from U-Tapao air base in Sattahip.

The two aircraft will be able to detect, classify and identify targets at sea or on land. They will be equipped with an electro-optical/infra-red sensor suite to operate effectively in both day and night conditions.

The aircraft will be assembled at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain. The first delivery is scheduled by the end of 2028.

Airbus said 90 C295 aircraft have been ordered by seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The company said the C295 is the global leader in its segment, with an 85% market share and 335 orders from 39 countries across four continents.

The global C295 fleet has reached 750,000 flight hours to date. Airbus said the figures underline the aircraft’s role in tactical transport and related missions worldwide.