Airbus has handed over the sixth of seven new-generation C295 aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at an aircraft turnover ceremony held at the Basa Air Base in Pampanga today, enhancing its military transport capabilities.
The milestone ceremony was witnessed by the President of the Republic of Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lieutenant General Vicente Bartolome Bacarro, and Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lieutenant General Connor Anthony D Canlas Sr.
PAF selected a fleet of C295 tactical airlifters as part of its medium-lift aircraft acquisition programme. These new combat proven C295s are dedicated for troops and equipment transportation across the archipelago.
Congratulating the Philippine Air Force on their newest C295, Airbus Defence and Space Head of Asia-Pacific Johan Pelissier said: “With the seventh aircraft on track to join the fleet in the coming months, we are fully confident that the new additions will complement the rest as an integral part of PAF’s fleet, as the air force utilises the aircraft extensively to boost its air-lift operations. PAF’s wide use of the C295 for various critical missions has fully demonstrated it as a reference user of the tactical airlifter in Southeast Asia.”
Since its first delivery in 2015, the PAF has successfully deployed the C295 for various transport operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, thanks to its access to short unpaved airstrips in remote areas, while carrying heavy payloads over long distances. The C295 fleet was pivotal in supporting PAF’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, especially during the typhoons that frequently plagued the Philippines.
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