The Malian Ministry of Defence has ordered an additional C295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence & Space, to be delivered next year.
The new C295 airlifter will supplement the first aircraft already in operation since December 2016, which has since transported more than 38,000 passengers and 900t of cargo while accumulating 1,770 flight hours.
“This acquisition is in response to the urgent need of the authorities of the Republic of Mali to have permanent air transport capacity within a very short timeframe, providing a vital link supporting operations and actions for the development of isolated areas in the northern regions of the country,” Airbus says.
“This new order also includes an integrated logistics support package with spare parts for the two aircraft and training for flight crews and mechanics,” says the aircraft maker.
Bernhard Brenner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “This repeat order demonstrates the excellent capabilities and performance of our aircraft. The C295 is becoming the 21st century standard tactical airlifter in Africa with 37 aircraft ordered in the region, from Algeria, Egypt and Ghana to Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali.”
Since 2014, the Republic of Mali has been in state of war with several violent Islamic extremist groups, the new airlifter will enhance the country’s airborne logistics and transportation capacity.
Mali also operated a pair of Harbin Y-12E transports and a single Antonov An-26.