The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has ordered two Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen operational readiness and expand Thailand’s military airlift capabilities.
The aircraft will be operated by the 46th Wing Division of the Royal Thai Air Force from Phitsanulok Air Base and are expected to support a wide range of tactical transport and mission-critical operations.
Thailand already operates three Airbus C295 aircraft under the Royal Thai Army, where the platform has been deployed for troop and cargo transport missions since 2016. The latest acquisition further reinforces the country’s growing reliance on the versatile tactical airlifter platform.
According to Airbus, the aircraft will be assembled at Airbus Defence and Space’s production facility in Seville, Spain, with the first delivery scheduled for the first half of 2029.
Configured for tactical transport operations, the C295 is capable of carrying up to 70 troops or 49 paratroopers. The aircraft can operate from short and unprepared runways and is designed to undertake multiple mission profiles, including cargo transport, paratrooper deployment, humanitarian support and medical evacuation.
From an MRO and lifecycle support perspective, Airbus continues to support Thailand’s defence aviation ecosystem through its partnership with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI). The collaboration includes maintenance support for the country’s existing C295 fleet, alongside advanced technical and training assistance aimed at strengthening local sustainment capabilities.
Thailand is currently among seven Asia-Pacific nations operating the Airbus C295 platform. Globally, the aircraft remains a dominant player in the tactical transport aircraft segment, with Airbus claiming an 85 per cent market share.
To date, the C295 programme has secured 333 orders from 39 countries across four continents, while the global fleet has collectively accumulated more than 750,000 flight hours, reflecting the aircraft’s strong operational track record and expanding international footprint.
