The RTAF has ordered two C295W variants, scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2029. These aircraft will be assigned to the 46th Wing Division, based at Phitsanulok Air Base. They will join the existing C295 fleet operated by the Royal Thai Army, which has utilized the type for cargo and troop transport missions since 2016. The RTAF’s acquisition represents its first operational employment of the platform, although the air force currently operates three CN235 series aircraft supplied by Indonesian airframer PTDI, as well as a fleet of H135 military training helicopters.
Simultaneously, the Royal Thai Navy has ordered two C295 aircraft in an “enhanced transport configuration.” This variant is equipped with an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensor to support search and rescue missions in addition to logistical operations. Deliveries for the naval variant are expected to begin in late 2028, with the aircraft based at U-Tapao Air Base in Sattahip. This marks the first time the C295 will be integrated into the RTN’s operational inventory.
Both the air force and navy aircraft will be assembled at Airbus Defence and Space’s facility in Seville, Spain. The C295 is a twin-turboprop platform capable of carrying 70 passengers or 49 paratroopers. It is designed for tactical transport operations, including cargo drops, paratrooper missions, and medical evacuations, with the capability to operate from unprepared runways. The new RTAF aircraft feature winglets, identifying them as C295W models, and include additional avionics such as VHF/UHF communication antennas, radar warning receivers on the nose, and a rear-facing electronic support measures antenna—features not present on the incumbent army aircraft.
Airbus has emphasized its continued partnership with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), which will provide maintenance support and advanced training for the expanded C295 fleet. This collaboration aims to contribute to the development of Thailand’s domestic defense industry. The procurement also aligns with broader recent acquisitions by the RTAF, which in September 2025 ordered two Airbus Helicopters H225 multi-role helicopters and a single Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Plus (MRTT+).
The C295 has established a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with seven countries currently operating the type. Thailand’s new orders add to a global fleet that has accumulated over 750,000 flight hours. Airbus reports that the C295 accounts for approximately 85% of the tactical transport market segment, with 333 orders from 39 countries. In the region, India is set to become the largest operator, with a final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, inaugurated in October 2024. Brunei is another regional customer, having recently completed deliveries of four C295MW aircraft ordered in December 2022.
These recent procurement decisions reflect a broader modernization effort within the Thai armed forces, aiming to enhance airlift capacity and interoperability across services. The integration of the C295 into the navy’s inventory is notable, as it extends the utility of the platform beyond traditional air force and army roles into maritime search and rescue and logistical support.
