Oman looks to Airbus for military transport aircraft

MADRID, Spain, 23 May 2012. The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has chosen to acquire eight Airbus C-295 aircraft, five of them configured as tactical transports and three as maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). They will be delivered starting in 2013.

The C-295 is a twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft based off the commercial CN-235. The C-295 first was flown in 1998. The aircraft features a range of 828 miles with a full payload of 20,392 lbs.

Oman's C-295 aircraft will be used to patrol territorial waters in missions conducted against piracy, smuggling and illegal immigration. The Oman Royal Police already operate two Airbus CN-235 aircraft as well.

There are currently more than 80 C-295 aircraft in service for 13 countries, with more than 20 more contracted for future delivery.

Parimary competition for the C-295 is the L-3 Communications and Alenia team's C-27J Spartan.