Spain's First C295 MSA Ready for Flight Tests

Airbus has rolled out the first C295 MSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft) for the Spanish Air and Space Force. The aircraft, assembled at the company’s Seville facility, has entered the development and certification phase, with its first flight expected later in 2025.

This is the first of eight C295 MSA aircraft ordered to replace Spain’s aging CN-235 VIGMA fleet, which has been in service since 2008. The new aircraft will support missions such as maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling, border patrol, and search and rescue (SAR).

The order, signed in December 2023, includes 16 C295 aircraft in total — 8 MSA and 8 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) variants. The MPA version will feature advanced sensors, anti-submarine warfare capability, and weapons integration. The full contract is worth approximately €1.7 billion, including simulators, training systems, and logistics support.

Airbus describes the Spanish C295 MSA as one of the most advanced mission-configured variants of the platform, offering digital systems and high-end sensors for coastal and overwater operations. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026 and continue through 2031.

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