The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered two Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft to strengthen Thailand’s military airlift capabilities. The aircraft will be operated by the 46th Wing Division from Phitsanulok air base.
The order expands Thailand’s existing C295 fleet, following the delivery of three aircraft to the Royal Thai Army in 2016 for troop and cargo transport operations.
The new aircraft will be assembled at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, with the first delivery expected in the first half of 2029.
Configured for tactical transport missions, the C295 can carry up to 70 troops or 49 paratroopers and is capable of operating from unprepared runways. The aircraft can also conduct cargo and paratrooper drops as well as medical evacuation missions.
Airbus also highlighted its cooperation with Thai Aviation Industries, which supports maintenance activities for Thailand’s C295 fleet through advanced training programmes.
According to Airbus, Thailand is now one of seven Asia-Pacific operators of the C295. The aircraft currently holds around 85% of the global market in its segment, with 333 orders from 39 countries and more than 750,000 flight hours accumulated worldwide.
