Brazil has ordered an additional Airbus C295 search and rescue (SAR) aircraft that will eventually take to 15 the number of the type in service with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), 12 of which will fulfil the transport role and 3 the SAR mission. This third SAR platform results from the exercise late last year of an option included in a 2014 contract.
The first SAR aircraft was delivered last year and performed a successful five week tour through four continents before arriving in Brazil. The aircraft demonstrated its maritime patrol and search and rescue capabilities in a wide range of environments and recorded 100% availability during the tour.
The second FAB C295 SAR will be delivered in 2019 and the third in 2020. More than 200 C295s have now been ordered by 26 countries. In the Latin American region, more than 100 Airbus military transport aircraft of all kinds are now in operation.
TM
