Hot on the heels of a Royal Thai Air Force order for two C295 transport aircraft announced on 22 May, Airbus revealed it has also wrapped up a deal for a pair of similar aircraft for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
Airbus said on 27 May that the navy aircraft are in “an enhanced transport configuration that will enable surveillance and search and rescue missions, on top of logistic operations for Thailand”.
The new aircraft will operate from U-Tapao Air Base in Sattahip. The European aerospace giant said the C295s “will be able to detect, classify and identify targets at sea or on land, operating effectively in both day and night conditions”.
This is because they feature an electro-optical/infrared sensor suite. Indeed, computer-generated imagery released by Airbus showed this EO/IR sensor mounted under the twin turboprop’s nose. It is also confirmed the RTN is procuring the C295W version, as winglets are fitted.
The RTN becomes the third service of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to procure the C295, with the Royal Thai Army already operating three C295W examples of its own since 2016.
Based on this uptake, Airbus proclaimed “the C295 has become the tactical transport aircraft of reference for the Thai armed forces”.
Like the recently ordered air force C295s, the RTN examples will be assembled in Seville, Spain. First delivery is scheduled for the end of 2028. This is actually a swifter delivery than the first air force C295, which in tactical transport configuration is due for handover in the first half of 2029.
Airbus noted that seven Asia-Pacific militaries have now ordered the C295, totalling 90 aircraft. Specifically, these are Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The aerospace manufacturer said it occupies 85% of market share, with a global fleet of 335 C295 aircraft in 39 countries.
The RTN already operates seven German-built Dornier 228 aircraft for coastal maritime patrol duties, but the C295s will be able to supplement them thanks to their enhanced configuration.
General Atomics AeroTec Systems is currently modernising the RTN’s Do 228 fleet, in conjunction with the US Department of Defense. Two completed aircraft were handed back in 2023 and a third in 2025.
Thai Do 228s are receiving a glass cockpit, structural modifications, new radar, EO/IR sensor, data link and automatic identification system to identify ships.
by Gordon Arthur
