Spain’s plan to modernize its air fleet reached a major milestone as Airbus successfully completed the first flight of the country’s new C295 Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft in Seville.
The test flight, conducted from Airbus’s final assembly line in Andalusia, focused on verifying flight systems and performance ahead of mission equipment trials. Additional testing phases are scheduled before the first aircraft is delivered in 2026.
Once in service, the C295 SAR will replace the aging CN235 VIGMA aircraft, marking a generational leap in the Spanish Air and Space Force’s ability to respond to maritime and coastal emergencies.
Designed to cover vast search areas with improved range and endurance, the new platform integrates updated avionics, advanced communication systems, and a specialized mission suite.
Its enhanced sensors, real-time data links, and situational awareness tools are tailored for extended operations in challenging weather and terrain, which is an essential advantage given Spain’s long coastline and extensive maritime zones.
Airbus is building a total of eight aircraft under the program.
Spain’s Push to Modernize Its Air Fleet
The C295 program forms part of a wider initiative by Spain to revitalize its military aviation fleet and strengthen national defense capabilities. Over the past few years, Madrid has invested in multiple modernization projects aimed at improving readiness and interoperability with NATO partners.
In 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defence signed an agreement to acquire a new fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 jets to replace older F/A-18 Hornets in the Canary Islands, a move intended to bolster air defense and sovereignty patrol missions.
Around the same time, Spain began upgrading its A400M Atlas transport aircraft with advanced avionics and maintenance systems to enhance air mobility and logistics support.
The navy has also moved forward with its maritime renewal, commissioning new F110-class frigates designed to integrate next-generation radar and anti-submarine warfare systems, while the Air and Space Force has invested in new training and simulation infrastructure for its upcoming fighter squadrons.
