Morocco is edging closer to strengthening its tactical airlift capabilities as a new batch of Airbus C295W military transport aircraft has entered final flight testing in Spain, marking the last stage before delivery to the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
According to the Atlantic Observatory for Defense and Armament, a Moroccan military affairs monitoring platform, the aircraft have begun their acceptance flight tests, a standard phase designed to verify the performance of onboard systems and ensure they meet all technical and operational requirements before being formally handed over.
The upcoming delivery forms part of Morocco's broader effort to modernize the Royal Armed Forces' air mobility fleet, which has become a key component of the country's expanding military capabilities and regional operational readiness.
The C295W is the latest version of Airbus' widely used tactical military transport aircraft, incorporating several upgrades over earlier variants.
Among its most notable enhancements are winglets, upturned wingtip devices that improve aerodynamic efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and enhance takeoff and landing performance, particularly at high-altitude airfields or in hot-weather environments.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, the aircraft can reach speeds of around 480 km/h while offering an extended operational range suitable for long-distance tactical transport missions without frequent refueling stops. The platform is also designed to operate reliably in diverse climatic and geographic conditions, making it well suited to the varied environments in which Morocco's armed forces operate both domestically and abroad.
The C295W is capable of carrying approximately 70 fully equipped troops or around 50 paratroopers, while also transporting more than seven tonnes of cargo. Its modular interior allows it to be rapidly reconfigured for medical evacuation missions or the transport of wounded personnel, enhancing its versatility across humanitarian and military operations.
The aircraft represents the natural evolution of the CN235 transport planes that Morocco has operated for years, offering greater payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency, enhanced performance and better suitability for operations in demanding environments.
Military analysts view the acquisition as part of Morocco's gradual replacement of aging transport assets, particularly some of its long-serving C-130H Hercules aircraft, many of which have been in service for decades. The modernization is expected to improve the Royal Moroccan Air Force's ability to conduct troop deployments, logistics, disaster relief operations and international peacekeeping missions with greater efficiency and reliability.
