PAF C295M ready for delivery

摘要

THE PHILIPPINES Department of National Defense (DND) released a notice of award (NOA) for the turboprop element of its fixed-wing command and control (C2) aircraft acquisition project in mid-October. Valued at around €28.8m, the purchase involves an Airbus C295M tactical transport as the base platform, similar to the three C295Ms already serving with the Philippine Air Force's (PAF's) 220th Airlift Wing. Wearing full PAF colours, C295M serial 177 is now ready for delivery at Airbus facilities in Seville, Spain, where it was photographed in mid-September. Interestingly, the insignia applied near the cockpit is that of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, so it's unclear if the aircraft will replace the Fokker F27 Friendship used by that unit or if it will be subsequently modified in the Philippines with additional C2 mission equipment.