The cockpit of one of eight C295 MPA aircraft for Spain during the first power-up, announced on 13 May 2026. (Airbus)
Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has progressed the production of the first C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) for the Spanish Air and Space Force at its Seville factory in southern Spain.
On 13 May 2026, the manufacturer announced that work on the first of eight C295 MPA airframes was moving forward at the final assembly line (FAL), with the first power-on representing a milestone in the process.
The C295 MPA will replace the Lockheed P-3 Orion that was retired by the Spanish Air and Space Force at the end of 2022, being used in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW), command and control (C2), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It will also be capable of carrying weapons such as torpedoes.
As previously noted by Airbus DS, the C295 MPA is to be equipped with its Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) maritime mission suite, bringing together input from radars, sensor turrets, sonobuoys, a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), and electronic support measures (ESM).
Deliveries are due to commence in late 2026/early 2027.
For more, please see:
Spain signs for C295 MPA, MSA
Go beyond the headlines — with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
