MADRID (Airbus Military press service) – Kazakhstan has taken delivery of the first two C-295 transport aircraft that it ordered last year, marking Airbus Military’s entry into the CIS regional market.

The first EADS CASA C-259 delivered to Kazakhstan
Thanks to its robustness and reliability, and with simple systems, this medium sized tactical airlifter provides wide versatility and flexibility, necessary for personnel, troop and bulky/palletized cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties or certified air-dropping capabilities. Its mix of dual technology civil/military equipment ensure success on demanding tactical mission, growth potential for future equipment as well as compatibility with the latest civil airspace environment.
(Photo: courtesy of Airbus Military)

The aircraft, the first two on firm contract and a further six on options to be progressively confirmed in the coming years, were formally handed over in Sevilla before the ferry flights, via Astana, to Almaty, where they will be based. They were earlier technically accepted in Seville by a combined team of Kazspetsexport, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defence, and the Kazakhstan Air Forces.

Both aircraft will be used in support of transport missions throughout the nation’s vast territory. The purchase contract additionally covers the related service support package for spare parts and ground support equipment.

The EADS CASA C-295 is part of Airbus Military’s family of light and medium airlifters which also include the smaller C-212 and CN-235 platforms. It has a capacity for 71 troops and a payload of 9,250 kg. Its cruise speed is 480 km/h (576 km/h max. spedd) and has a range of 4,600 km (1,300 km with full payload). The service ceiling is 9,100 m.

This twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft is manufactured and assembled in the Airbus Military facilities in the San Pablo Airport, in Seville, Spain. It is a further development of the commercially successful Spanish-Indonesian transport aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235, but with a stretched fuselage, 50% more payload capability and new PW127G turboprop engines. The C-295 made its maiden flight in 1998. The first order came from the Spanish Air Force. In 2012, EADS announced several enhancements to the design, including winglets, and an ability to carry the Marte anti-ship missile. An airborne early warning and control version is also planned.

As on November 2012, there were a total of 1,079 orders of C-295, from which 850 were delivered and 627 in operation.