https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... t-aircraft06 DECEMBER 2022
Brunei has signed a contract to acquire Airbus C295MW tactical transport aircraft for the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).
The Brunei Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the contract was signed with Airbus Defence and Space SAU, Spain on 2 December 2022.
Janes has learnt that the contract covers three aircraft.
The MINDEF said that the C295 will replace the single Airbus CN235-110M operational with the RBAirF.
According to MINDEF, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) has operated the CN235 since 1997.
“The aircraft are expected to be delivered to the [RBAirF] in two batches,” MINDEF said.
Airbus deferred Janes questions to the Brunei MINDEF.
Janes assesses that the value of the contract is between USD103 million and USD120 million.
Acquisition of the C295s represents a major capability enhancement for the RBAirF.
The RBAirF transport and logistics force consists of a single CN235 transport aircraft and 16 Sikorsky S-70i helicopters.
The service also operates six Airbus BO-105 surveillance helicopters
in the surveillance, air support, VIP transportation, and search-and-rescue (SAR) roles, according to information available on Airbus' website.