Burkina Faso is bolstering its airlift capability with the acquisition of a single C295 medium transport from Airbus Defence & Space, the manufacturer announced on December 11. The aircraft is being acquired as part of the country’s 2018-2022 Military Acquisition Law.
Known as Upper Volta until 1984, Burkina Faso joins Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Mali in flying the C295 in Africa, where 36 aircraft are currently operating. The Armée de l’Air Burkinabé (Burkina Faso air force) operates in a harsh sub-Saharan environment with a challenging climate. The C295 is considered an ideal vehicle to operate safely and effectively in the conditions it is likely to encounter.
The air force’s small transport fleet currently operates from Ouagadougou International Airport and consists of three Beechcraft King Air 200s and Mi-8/17 helicopters. A CN235 is also on strength but it not thought to be active. The air force’s attack capability is provided by Mi-24s and A-29B Super Tucanos.
Shortly after the Burkina Faso announcement, the Irish Air Corps announced that the country’s Department of Defence had ordered a pair of C295s outfitted for maritime surveillance. According to Airbus, they will have the company’s Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) installed, along with mission sensors (electro-optical and radar) and Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics.
The C295s will replace a pair of CN235M-100s that have been in use since 1994 and have amassed more than 20,000 flight hours each. The primary role is maritime defense and security, working in close conjunction with the Naval Service to patrol the Irish Economic Zone, an area of approximately 132,000 sq mi, or 16 percent of the total EU sea fisheries. The CN235Ms operate with a normal crew of five, comprising two pilots, two sensor operators, and a photographer.
The aircraft are also tasked with other duties to provide support to the Óglaigh na h-Éireann (Ireland Defence Force), including air ambulance and logistics transport. The C295s will serve with 101 Squadron at Baldonnel/Casement, which currently flies the CN235Ms.
Meanwhile, in late November and early December two newly completed C295s were noted at the Seville plant wearing U.S. civilian registrations N291LH and N292LH, according to spotters site Scramble. The FAA register records that these registrations, plus N293LH, are allocated to the address of the L3 Harris Technologies ISR Systems facility at Greenville, Texas, a plant noted for its special mission/ISR conversions.
Update: On December 16 Airbus announced that the Czech air force had ordered an additional pair of C295s, plus the upgrade of its four existing aircraft to the same winglet-equipped configuration. The Czech order brought the C295 orderbook to 214 aircraft.
