Airbus Defence & Space had a busy first day at the Singapore show, with a confirmed order for its C295W medium transport capping a debut international appearance on the static display by an A400M from its Malaysian air force customer.
Mali has become the 23rd nation to purchase the C295, ordering a sole winglet-equipped example. Delivery of the aircraft is expected in the second half of 2016, and is the first order for Airbus’s defence division this year.
“This order from Mali reflects the C295W’s proven ability to handle the exceptionally harsh operating conditions encountered in sub-Saharan Africa,” says head of marketing and sales, Jean-Pierre Talamoni.
It will join Mali’s small fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, which includes nine Mikoyan MiG-21s, one Alenia SF-260, and one Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database shows.
The Philippine air force, meanwhile, has taken delivery of its third C295, completing a 2014 order for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G-powered type.
Delivered to Clark Air Base, the turboprop will be used by the service for humanitarian as well as military operations.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's A400M - MSN32 - is on display at the show, just one month after it was delivered to Subang air base.
Although sister aircraft MSN22 - the first handed over to Kuala Lumpur - has previously appeared at Langkawi air show, it has never made an international appearance.
Malaysia expects to complete deliveries of its A400M fleet in 2016 as the final two aircraft arrive. This will be the first completed order for the EuroProp International TP400-powered airlifter.
Malaysia has built a new hangar at Subang, which is large enough to store all four aircraft.
“We see South East Asia and Australasia as being clear targets for the A400M in coming years,” says the manufacturer.
Get all the latest news, analysis and opinions from Singapore Airshow on our dedicated show page
Source: Flight Daily News
