The Finnish air force has taken delivery of its first of a potentially seven-strong fleet of C-295 tactical transports, with the service having accepted the platform from EADS Casa at its Tikkakoski airbase on 6 March.
Finland ordered two C-295s plus five options in May 2006, with the initial aircraft to replace its obsolete Fokker F27s. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprops, the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 23,200kg (51,200lb), including a 9,250kg payload.
EADS Casa has now received orders for 54 C-295s from Algeria, Brazil, Finland, Jordan, Poland, Portugal and Spain, with at least half of these now in service, according to Flight’s MiliCAS database. The type is also under consideration to meet the US Air Force/Army Joint Cargo Aircraft requirement, facing competition from Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J Spartan for the proposed 145-aircraft deal.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
