Airbus has confirmed an order from the Spanish Ministry of Defense for 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft that will replace the country’s CN235 and C212 fleets.
On December 23, 2025, Airbus said that with the new order means that the Spanish Air and Space Force will operate a total fleet of 46 C295s in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance configuration.
Details surrounding the order were made public in September 2025, when the Spanish government announced it is allocating $4.3 billion (€3.68 billion) to purchase new fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters for its armed forces.
The package included Hürjet advanced jet trainers, C295 transport aircraft and NH-90, H135 and H175 helicopters to fulfill a range of different roles.
On December 18, 2025, it was also announced that Spain has placed orders for 100 Airbus helicopters through the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM).
New milestone achieved! ✔️
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) July 30, 2025
The first C295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) for Spain has rolled-out from our Final Assembly Line in Seville 🇪🇸 and has entered the development and certification testing phase towards its first flight, scheduled before the end of the year.
This… pic.twitter.com/Fc0EmVOJFZ
“This order reaffirms Spain’s commitment to the C295, reinforcing national strategic autonomy and sovereignty while boosting the development of the Spanish aeronautical industry and the entire industrial ecosystem,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “With this contract, the Spanish Air and Space Force will operate a fleet of 46 C295s in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance configurations.”
The 18 C295s will be split into two batches, with the first dedicated to training and the transport of passengers, paratroopers, and cargo at the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca.
The second group of C295s will be used for manual and automatic paratrooper drops, as well as cargo drops. The C295s in transport configuration have the capacity to carry 70 troops or 50 paratroopers.
The first group of C295s are scheduled to be delivered between 2026 and 2028 while the second batch should arrive between 2030 and 2032.
The agreement includes the supply of an advanced ground training system encompassing several flight simulators, computer-aided teaching systems, and training management software for the Military Transport School and the Military Paratrooper School in Murcia.
The contract also includes comprehensive support for the C295 fleet at the Military Transport School, which will cover aircraft maintenance, the management of all necessary material for the aircraft, and the management of the training center until December 2032.