A brand new C-295 medium lift aircraft was delivered to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday afternoon, March 28, providing additional mobility to the troops.

Col. Maynard Mariano, PAF spokesperson, said the C-295 medium lift aircraft arrived around 5 p.m. at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

The 220th Airlift Wing of the Air Mobility Command will operate the aircraft which will be utilized to transport troops and equipment to various parts of the country.

“This aircraft is really designed for short-field takeoff and landing. This can be used to transport troops and when we go to small field units and isolated areas like Batanes, Pag-asa Island, Jolo area. We can also use this for our relief efforts during calamities like when we did during the Typhoon Odette,” Mariano said.

According to Mariano, the PAF bought three units of the aircraft from Spanish company Airbus Defense and Space as part of its Medium Lift Aircraft Acquisition Project.

The newly delivered aircraft will undergo technical inspection and acceptance before it is formally received and commissioned into service.

It is seen to boost the PAF’s current fleet of four C-295 aircraft in its inventory, three of which are operational while the other one is assigned with the presidential airlift wing.

“This is going to help our mobility,” Mariano said.

Meanwhile, Mariano said there is no definite date yet as to the delivery of the two remaining C-295 aircraft but he hopes it will be accomplished “within this year.”

Aside from the medium lift acquisition project, the PAF is also acquiring one heavy lift helicopter as part of its continuing modernization program.