Spain and India Strengthen Aerospace Travel Connectivity as Spain Confirms Order for 18 Airbus C295 Versatile Transport Aircraft

Published on December 24, 2025

A significant step in Europe’s aerospace journey has been marked as Spain has confirmed the acquisition of 18 new Airbus C295 aircraft, reinforcing its long-term commitment to a versatile and globally trusted platform. The decision has been positioned not only as a defence modernisation effort but also as a catalyst for enhanced aviation training mobility, industrial tourism, and international aerospace collaboration. Through this programme, the Spanish Air and Space Force has continued to align operational efficiency with broader connectivity goals that link Europe, India, and other C295-operating nations.

The aircraft will be assembled in Seville, ensuring that Spain’s aerospace industry remains a central attraction for skilled professionals, trainees, and international delegations. At the same time, India has remained closely linked to the programme through manufacturing, training, and maintenance cooperation, reinforcing people-to-people and industry travel flows. As global operators increasingly rely on the C295 platform for transport, humanitarian missions, and training, its presence has become a driver of aviation-related travel and knowledge exchange. This latest order highlights how military aviation programmes can also support tourism-oriented objectives, including training travel, industrial visits, and international cooperation across continents, while maintaining a neutral and forward-looking aviation narrative.

Spain Expands Its C295 Fleet for Long-Term Operational Harmony

The purchase of 18 Airbus C295 aircraft has been confirmed to replace the ageing CN235 and C212 fleets used for training and transport roles. Through this acquisition, fleet standardisation has been reinforced, allowing streamlined logistics and more efficient crew training. Spain already operates the C295 across transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance missions, and with this new order, the total fleet size will increase to 46 aircraft.

By consolidating around a single platform, operational harmony has been prioritised, while long-term cost efficiency has been strengthened. The move has also ensured continuity for domestic aerospace production, with all aircraft scheduled for assembly at Airbus facilities in Seville.

Domestic Aerospace Production and Industrial Travel Appeal

The programme has been designed to reinforce Spain’s strategic autonomy while supporting skilled employment and local supply chains. Assembly work in Seville has continued to attract engineers, technicians, and trainees from partner countries, contributing to industrial travel linked to aerospace education and certification.

Spain’s aerospace hubs in Getafe and Seville have remained key destinations for professional travel, training exchanges, and technical visits, positioning the country as a centre for European military aviation expertise.

Aircraft Capability Supporting Diverse Missions

In its transport configuration, the C295 has been designed to carry up to 70 troops or 50 paratroopers. Operations from unprepared runways have been enabled, making the aircraft suitable for humanitarian relief and disaster response missions that often involve cross-border deployments.

Medical evacuation capabilities have been integrated, allowing rapid reconfiguration for emergency transport. These features have supported global mobility for training exercises, humanitarian deployments, and international cooperation missions, indirectly contributing to aviation-related travel activity.

Two-Phase Delivery Aligned With Training Locations

The delivery programme has been structured in two phases to align with Spain’s operational and training needs. The first batch will be deployed at the Military Air Transport School at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca. These aircraft will replace CN235 platforms currently used for training, passenger, and cargo missions, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2028.

The second batch will be assigned to the Military Parachuting School at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia. These aircraft will replace the C212 fleet and will support advanced paratrooper and cargo drop training. Deliveries for this phase are planned between 2030 and 2032.

Both locations are expected to benefit from increased training-related travel, including visiting instructors, trainees, and international observers.

Integrated Training Systems and Long-Term Support

A comprehensive ground-based training system has been included in the contract, tailored to the specific requirements of the Spanish Air and Space Force. Flight simulators, computer-aided instruction tools, and training management software will be deployed in Salamanca and Murcia.

Full fleet support services will also be provided at the Military Transport School, covering aircraft maintenance, material management, and training centre operations through December 2032. These long-term arrangements have ensured sustained professional travel and technical exchanges linked to training and maintenance activities.

Global Reach of the C295 Programme

The C295 has been recognised as the leading aircraft in its segment, with 329 orders from 38 countries worldwide. More than 710,000 flight hours have been accumulated across military and special mission roles, reflecting widespread operational trust.

Spain has remained one of the programme’s most experienced operators, while Brazil has operated the individual aircraft with the highest recorded flight hours. This global footprint has supported a steady flow of international collaboration, training travel, and technical cooperation.

India’s Central Role in the Programme

India has emerged as the largest customer for the C295, with 56 aircraft on order. Sixteen aircraft are being assembled in Seville, while 40 are being produced locally by Tata in Vadodara under the Make in India programme. Deliveries to the Indian Air Force began in September 2023 and are scheduled to continue through 2026.

Negotiations have also been actively pursued to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul hub in India. Such initiatives have strengthened aviation connectivity between Spain and India, encouraging industrial tourism, workforce mobility, and long-term partnership travel.

European Design Roots and Industrial Continuity

The C295 traces its origins to Spain’s CASA programmes, building on the success of the C212 and CN235. First flown in 1997 and certified in 1999, the aircraft has offered roughly 50 percent greater capability than its predecessor.

Design and engineering activities have been based in Getafe, with pre-assembly in Seville and final assembly at San Pablo Sur. In December 2023, Spain further reinforced domestic capability by ordering 16 additional C295 aircraft in maritime patrol and surveillance configurations.

Manufacturing Scale and Training Infrastructure

Final assembly of a C295 transport variant typically takes one to two years, with longer timelines for specialised mission aircraft. Between 200 and 250 specialists are involved in each aircraft’s production. Digital manufacturing tools, including tablets and mixed reality systems, have replaced traditional paper documentation.

Training has been delivered through the International Training Centre at San Pablo, where hundreds of pilots and technicians from multiple countries have been qualified. These activities have supported sustained aviation-related travel into Spain.

Mission Versatility and Humanitarian Impact

The defining strength of the C295 has been its adaptability across air, sea, and land missions. Beyond military transport, the aircraft has supported maritime patrol, search and rescue, signals intelligence, and special operations.

Humanitarian missions have included disaster relief, wildfire suppression, medical evacuation, and pandemic response. Operations in challenging environments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America have demonstrated reliability while reinforcing the aircraft’s reputation as a global mobility platform.

Sustainability and Future-Oriented Aviation

The C295 has been certified to operate on up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel without modification, aligning with long-term decarbonisation goals. This capability has supported environmentally responsible operations while maintaining mission readiness.

As Spain, India, and other partner nations continue to invest in the platform, the programme has remained a symbol of enduring aerospace collaboration, operational versatility, and international connectivity.