Polish C295s to undergo modernisation
On 13 December 2024, the Polish State Treasury, Armaments Agency, and Spanish company Airbus Defence & Space signed an agreement to modernise sixteen Siły Powietrzne RP (Polish Air Force) Airbus Military C295M transport aircraft. The contract is valued at €102.7 million.
The modernisation will take place between 2025 and 2033. Two aircraft will be upgraded in Spain, while the remaining fourteen will undergo modernisation at Airbus Poland.
The C295M fleet will be equipped with advanced avionics systems. To enhance operational capabilities, the upgrades will include modernisation of friend-or-foe identification systems, radio and satellite communication systems, and self-defense systems. Additionally, improvements will be made to increase the aircraft's airdrop capabilities.
The Polish Air Force received its first C295M in 2003. Seventeen aircraft were delivered in total, but one (serial 019) tragically crashed on 23 January 2008, while attempting to land at Mirosławiec. The crash claimed the lives of all twenty passengers and crew, including senior Polish Air Force officers.
The remaining sixteen operational aircraft are assigned to the 8. Baza Lotnictwa Transportowego (8.BLTr) at Kraków Balice.
Credit photo: Rene Sleegers