Options for Vietnam's C-295 to become an attack aircraft

Although only a transport aircraft, Vietnam's C-295 aircraft is facing the opportunity to become a ground-attack and anti-submarine aircraft with a series of new equipment.

According to information just released, Airbus Defence & Space Group has signed an agreement with Türkiye's Roketsan to integrate weapons systems developed by the company for the C-295W transport aircraft. In other words, to develop a version for light attack missions on the C-295 transport aircraft platform.

C-295M transport aircraft of the Vietnam Air Force.

The signed content will be integrated into the C-295W aircraft including: 70mm CIRIT laser-guided rockets; UMTAS anti-tank missiles and 155kg Mk81 and 270kg Mk82 smart bombs with high-precision guidance. The special thing is that the C-295W is an extended version of the C-295 transport aircraft with flaps at the main wing tips, upgraded engines for better flight performance.

Basically, the C-295W still uses the original airframe of the standard version of the C-295M transport aircraft exported to Vietnam and many other countries. Therefore, if the C-295W is successfully upgraded with guided weapons, it will open up opportunities for Vietnam's C-295 transport aircraft to become light attack aircraft.

In addition, C-295M transport aircraft like Vietnam's can completely become anti-submarine patrol aircraft thanks to the upgrade package implemented by Indonesia's PT Dirgantara Corporation (PTDI). According to ANTARA News, this Indonesian manufacturer is currently producing the CN-295 - a version of the C-295.

The CN-295's missions include military transport, emergency response and medical evacuation, search and rescue, maritime patrol, or even more complex missions such as anti-submarine warfare or electronic reconnaissance.

The CN-295 tactical transport aircraft is equipped with two turboprop engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of nearly 600 km/h, a range of up to 4,600 km, and a ceiling of 9,100 m. The aircraft is 24.5 m long, has a wingspan of 25.81 m, a height of 8.6 m, and is capable of carrying 71 people and 2 crew members or more than 9 tons of cargo, while the maximum take-off weight is 23.2 tons.

Currently, Vietnam has received three Airbus C-295M transport aircraft and assigned them to the 918th Air Brigade based in Gia Lam, which was previously operating An-26 transport aircraft that were nearing the end of their service life.

Compared to the An-26, the C-295 has nearly double the payload, longer range, short takeoff and landing capability, and advanced avionics. The C-295M is equipped with a pair of Canadian-made PW127G turboprop engines with 6-blade propellers providing the same payload, speed, and flight path as the Indonesian-made CN-295 version.

According to baodatviet