3rd and final C-295 now in PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 11): 3rd and final C-295 now in PHL

The Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s third and last C-295 medium-lift transport aircraft finally arrived at Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga Friday afternoon.

PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said the plane departed from Seville, Spain last Dec. 4 and made stopovers in several countries before landing in the Philippines.

The last C-295 transport aircraft was flown by pilots of Airbus Defense and Space in Space, the plane's manufacturers.

It will still undergo technical inspection and acceptance process before it will be turnover to the PAF, Canaya said.

Last Dec. 5, President Benigno S. Aquino graced the turnover of the second C-295, two FA-50PH supersonic lead-in fighter jets and six AW-109E Attack Helicopter at 250th Presidential Airlift Wing Ramp,Villamor Air Base while Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the turnover of the first C-295 last March 30.

The three C-295 medium-lift fixed-wing acquisition program is part of the PAF modernization program amounting to Php5.3 billion.

The 220th Airlift Wing of the PAF will operate and maintain the above-mentioned aircraft.

The PAF uses the medium lift aircraft for tactical and medium airlift requirements, and are essential to internal security operations in ferrying personnel and logistical requirements of different line/combat units to any part of the country.

The timely deployment of troops and supplies is vital to ensure the success of any military operations.

With the acquisition of thre C-295, the present and future needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines could be addressed having an additional aircraft dedicated to operate in any combat support, territorial defense and disaster response missions of the AFP as well as the national development.

The Airbus Military C-295 is a new generation, very robust and reliable, highly versatile tactical airlifter able to carry up to nine tonnes of payload or up to 71 personnel, at a maximum cruise speed of 260 kt /480 km/h.

Fitted with a retractable landing gear and a pressurized cabin, it can cruise at altitudes up to 25,000 ft, while retaining remarkable short take-off & landing (STOL) performance from unprepared short, soft and rough airstrips, as well as low level flight characteristics.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=837045