PATTAYA, Thailand – The Royal Thai Navy is moving forward with plans to procure two Airbus C295 military transport aircraft worth approximately 3.77 billion baht under the 2025 fiscal budget, following adjustments to the original procurement plan that initially proposed the purchase of three aircraft. According to reports, the navy has completed its aircraft selection process and chosen the Airbus C295 platform for the project. Contract signing is expected to take place in Spain in late May 2026, with the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy scheduled to oversee the agreement.
The Airbus C295 is already in service with the Royal Thai Army, which currently operates three aircraft of the same type. However, the navy’s version will reportedly feature additional specialized mission equipment to support a wider range of operational duties.
Officials said the aircraft will be configured to handle military transport missions, including the movement of personnel, weapons, equipment, and disaster relief supplies. The upgraded systems will also enable advanced aerial surveillance operations using electronic imaging technology.
In addition to transport and reconnaissance roles, the aircraft are expected to support full-scale medical evacuation missions (MEDEVAC), allowing the transfer of critically ill patients using onboard medical equipment and emergency treatment systems. The Airbus C295 is widely used by military forces around the world due to its versatility and ability to operate from shorter or smaller airfields. The aircraft is commonly deployed in both security operations and humanitarian missions, particularly in areas requiring flexible transport and rapid response capabilities. The procurement forms part of broader efforts by Thailand’s armed forces to modernize operational readiness while expanding support capabilities for both national security and emergency response missions.
