Seville, Spain – The first Airbus C295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) destined for the Spanish Air and Space Force has officially rolled out of Airbus’s final assembly line in Seville and entered the development and certification testing phase.
The aircraft’s maiden flight is expected to take place by the end of 2025.
This is the first of a total of eight C295 MSAs that will be delivered to Spain starting in 2026. The new model will be essential to reinforce and modernize the Spanish Air Force’s surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and search and rescue capabilities, for both national and international operations.
The new aircraft will gradually replace the current fleet of CN-235 VIGMA, in service since 2008. The C295 MSA represents a significant operational leap and will be specially configured for maritime and land missions, including anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking operations, as well as humanitarian and rescue missions.
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With greater endurance, updated sensors, and operational flexibility, the C295 MSA positions itself as a strategic platform to enhance Spain’s maritime sovereignty and support operations by the European Union and NATO.
Source and images: Airbus | Instagram @airbus_defence. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
