Airbus Defence and Space has placed the first three C-295W Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) ordered by the Spanish Air and Space Force on the flight line at its Seville facility. The aircraft completed ground tests and final painting, clearing them for initial flights, as announced on May 5, 2026.
These planes form part of a June 2023 order for 16 C-295W aircraft, including six maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and ten MSA variants. They will replace the service’s aging P-3 Orion fleet and older CN-235 platforms. The MSA configuration supports missions such as anti-smuggling, anti-illegal immigration patrols, counter-narcotics operations, and search-and-rescue duties over maritime and land areas.
Equipped with dedicated sensors and the FITS mission system for sensor fusion, the MSA variant emphasizes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance without heavy armament. It offers a 3,000 kg payload, 5,000 km range, and 7,620 m service ceiling. The aircraft requires a 670 m takeoff run and 320 m landing run at sea level under ISA conditions, with clearance for semi-prepared and soft fields. Assembly occurs at Airbus military facilities in Seville.