Spanish firm turns over transport plane to PAF

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Force has received delivery of the first of three medium-lift fixed aircraft to be acquired from a Spanish company.

In an article posted on its website last Wednesday, supplier Airbus Military said the transport plane, now being ferried to the Philippines, was formally handed over in Seville, Spain. 

“The C295 will play a key role in the modernization of the (Air Force’s) transport fleet and will undertake a wide variety of military and humanitarian missions,” Airbus said.

Department of National Defense (DND) officials previously said the aircraft would be delivered by March 23 to 25 in Clark, Pampanga.

The C-295, to be used to transport supplies and personnel to mission areas, will complement the three C-130 cargo planes of the Air Force.

It is expected to enhance the military’s lift capabilities.

The bidding for the purchase of three medium-lift fixed wing aircraft was held last year.

Airbus submitted a bid of P5.29 billion, lower than the P5.3 billion approved outlay for the project.

The delivery of the two other C-295 planes has been slated for next year.

A C-295 plane can carry up to nine tons of payload or up to 71 people at a maximum cruise speed of 260 kt or 480 kilometers per hour.

Described by Airbus as a “very robust and reliable, highly versatile tactical airlifter,” the C- 295 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines.