EADS-CASA C-295 Command & Control Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force

Note: For a more detailed information regarding the Command and Control Fixed Wing Aircraft acquisition project, please refer to the resource page for the said project:

"Command and Control Fixed-Wing Aircraft Acquisition of the Philippine Air Force"

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The Philippine Air Force (PAF) raised a requirement for the a new fleet of Command & Control (C2) platform fixed-wing transport aircraft that can be used by the President of the Republic of the Philippines and important leaders of the Philippine government in cases of emergency.

The aircraft could also be used as a Very Very Important Person (VVIP) transport aircraft when necessary, as the current fleet used by the PAF are in need of replacement ASAP due to old age.

Thus the Command & Control Fixed-Wing Aircraft acquisition project was approved as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

The new aircraft are also expected to replace the ageing Fokker F-27 Friendship turboprop VIP aircraft currently operated by the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing based in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The Fokker F-27 Friendship has been in service for several decades and should have been replaced with a new aircraft decades ago. Due to their age, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte prefers to use private aircraft owned by friends or associates instead of the PAF service aircraft.

Being Command and Control platforms, the aircraft is expected to be equipped with extensive communications radio and computer equipment, and may also be connected to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) system being built-up by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as all 3 major services including the PAF.

This aircraft could be useful allowing the president or other government leaders to be provided with real-time information which can be used to provide guidance and direction to field commanders on the ground.



Project Summary:

Command & Control Fixed-Wing Turboprop Aircraft Acquisition Project

Note: edit as of 01 July 2019

* End User: Philippine Air Force (250th Presidential Airlift Wing)

* Quantity: 1 aircraft

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php1,800,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement (Government-to-Government with Spain)

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund, to be paid via Multi-Year Obligatory Allocations (MYOA).

* SARO Release: TBA

* Winning Proponent: Airbus Defence and Space S.A.

* Product for Delivery: Airbus-CASA C-295W

* Contract Price: €28,807,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 25 October 2018

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag/s: #PAFC2TurbopropAircraftAcqisition #PAFC295

* Status: Awaiting delivery, most likely end of July or early August 2019.


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U P D A T E S:
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16 October 2018:

The DND released the Notice of Award (NOA) of the Command & Control Fixed Wing Turboprop Aircraft acquisition project, and was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space S.A. of Spain, with a corresponding control price of €28,807,000.00.

The NOA was received by Airbus Defence's local representative on 18 October 2018.

The NOA for the Command and Control Fixed Wing Turobprop Aircraft acquisition project, as awarded to Airbus Defence and Space S.A. of Spain. Photo taken from the DND's website,

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25 October 2018:

MaxDefense posted an update on our Facebook page on the awarding of the Command & Control Fixed Wing Turboprop Aircraft project to Airbus Defence and Space.

MaxDefense believes will supply the Airbus-CASA C-295W tactical transport aircraft as the base platform, as the price range is close to that of the previous contract the DND had with Airbus Defence and Space on the acquisition of Medium Lift Fixed Wing Transport Aircraft during the Horizon 1 phase.

This also means that the aircraft will be enjoying a level of commonality and compatibility with the three C-295M tactical transport aircraft already in service with the PAF's 220th Airlift Wing.


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01 July 2019:

MaxDefense was informed by sources that the aircraft ordered by the Department of National Defense (DND) for the Philippine Air Force is indeed the Airbus-CASA C-295M twin-engine medium tactical aircraft, which will be configured to allow limited Command and Control (C2) by having communications equipment connected to the AFP C4ISTAR system, including having satellite communications.

Sadly, its the M variant rather than the W variant with winglets which is said to be more efficient than the ones without the winglets.

Based on at least 3 source's information, the PAF is expected the delivery of the aircraft soon, at best within July 2019. This is despite news from the Philippine News Agency wherein they quoted Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana that the C2 aircraft from Spain has been delivered.

MaxDefense made the extra effort to check with sources from the PAF, as well as with planespotters who are MaxDefense community members, and it appears that no aircraft has been delivered as of this writing.

Apparently the PAF is still getting the older C-295M variant without the winglets. This is similar to the ones used by the PAF in the medium lift role.  Photo c/o Miguel Cenon's Flickr page.

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09 July 2019:

First publicly available photo of the actual C-295M Command and Control Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force.

And sadly, it is indeed a non-winglet variant C-295M.

First publicly available photo of the PAF C-295M C2 aircraft as it conducts flight tests in Spain. Photo credits to Santiago Blanquez @ Jetphotos.

It appears that there are no distinguishing features ie. Antennas, cameras, sensors, etc. can be seen with the aircraft. Looks perfectly like a normal C-295M aircraft similar to those already in use by the PAF.

Except for the badge near the cockpit, which does not appear to be the 220th Airlift Wing's badge. Rather, it looks closer to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing's badge.

If this is the case, it is very possible that the so-called "C2 Aircraft" is in fact just another presidential VIP aircraft which may replace the old Fokker F27 Friendship used by the air wing.

It remains to be seen if sensors or cameras will be installed in the Philippines later on, considering the PAF has the C4ISTAR project that is ongoing and may include upgrades on the aircraft allocated for C2 work.

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09 October 2019:

Ruben Zammit of Philippine PlaneSpotters Group (PPSG) posted this photo of the Airbus CASA C-295M with tail no. 177 as it touches down in Malta International Airport.

The aircraft is on is way to the Philippines via the Europe-Middle East route and is expected to be in the country by Sunday or earlier.

This is one of the so-called "Command and Control" aircraft that the Philippine Air Force ordered.

Credits to Ruben Zammit and PPSG for the photo.

C-295M with tail no. 177 as it lands in Malta en route to the Philippines. Photo taken from Ruben Zammit c/o PPSG FB page.

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10 October 2019:

So to answer "which unit is going to operate the so-called Command and Control Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force?" especially for those who still doubt MaxDefense's previously posted information, we got the answer with evidence from Malta's Ruben Zammit who is also a contributor to the Philippine Plane Spotters Group.

His photos below of the Airbus CASA C-295M C2/VVIP Aircraft show clearly that it would be for the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, the PAF unit in charge of air assets to support the president and VIPs.

The aircraft made a stop in Malta on its way to the Philippines from Seville, Spain.

Photos credited to Mr. Zammit, taken from PPSG page.

Photos confirm aircraft is for 250th PAW. Photo taken from Ruben Zammit c/o PPSG FB page.

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14 October 2019:

The brand new Airbus CASA C-295M medium transport aircraft ordered by the DND for the Command and Control / VVIP Turboprop Aircraft acquisition project of the Philippine Air Force arrived in Clark Air Base a few hours ago, after a flight from Seville, Spain that took several days.

The acquisition of this aircraft was made under the Horizon 2 phase of the RAFPMP. This will also become the 4th C-295M aircraft in PAF service.

No photos available yet of the aircraft in Clark Air Base. 

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12 November 2019:

After completing all required tests and inspections, the Philippine Air Force formally accepted a new C-295M medium tactical aircraft delivered by Airbus Defense and Space, which is said to be configured to "Command and Control (C2) Aircraft".

The aircraft was acquired as part of the PAF's Command and Control Turboprop Aircraft Acquisition Project, a Horizon 2 phase Priority Project.

The aircraft is the 4th C-295M in service with the PAF, and would be assigned with the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing although no signs that it is specially configured for VVIP roles despite our doubt on the C2 claim by the PAF. Real C2 aircraft are normally assigned with combat support units.

Photos from PAF, taken from Ms Frances Mangosing's Twitter page.

Formal acceptance of C-295M from Airbus Defense and Space. Photo taken from and credited to Ms. Frances Mangosing of Inquirer.net.

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With the C-295M C2/VVIP Aircraft already delivered and formally commissioned with the Philippine Air Force, MaxDefense officially consider the Command and Control Fixed-Wing Turboprop Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy as COMPLETED.

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First edit and release: 29 April 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines