Mali orders an additional Airbus C295 CASA military transport aircraft.

According to a press release published on December 2, 2020, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Mali has placed a firm order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter in the transport configuration.

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C295 CASA military transport aircraft of Mali Air Force. (Picture source Airbus)

This second aircraft, to be delivered in 2021, will supplement the first C295 already in operation since December 2016 which has already accumulated 1,770 flight hours and transported more than 38,000 passengers and 900 tonnes of cargo in less than four years of operations.

This new order also includes an integrated logistics support package with spare parts for the two aircraft and training for flight crews and mechanics.

This acquisition is in response to the urgent need of the authorities of the Republic of Mali to have permanent air transport capacity within a very short timeframe, providing a vital link supporting operations and actions for the development of isolated areas in the northern regions of the country. Bernhard Brenner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “This repeat order demonstrates the excellent capabilities and performance of our aircraft. The C295 is becoming the 21st century standard tactical airlifter in Africa with 37 aircraft ordered in the region, from Algeria, Egypt and Ghana to Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali.”

The C295 CASA is a twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain. The development of the C-295 began in November 1996, and the first prototype made its maiden flight on 28 November 1997. The first order for the C295, from the Spanish Air Force for nine aircraft, was announced in April 1999. It was certificated as airworthy by the Spanish Dirección General de Aviación Civil and the American Federal Aviation Administration in December 1999.

As a military transport aircraft, the C295 has a cargo cabin with a length of 12.7 m is able to accommodate up to 71 people using two or three rows of foldable seats. The main cabin can be fitted with two or three rows of foldable seats to accommodate 48 fully equipped paratroops or up to 75 troops or three light combat vehicles.