Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
as well, then the Spanish fleet would lose air strike capabilities. The second type of fixed-wing assets operated by the 4th FLOAN Aircraft Squadron are four Cessna Citation business jets - three Citation Iis and Citation VII. The jets are used for small cargo and personnel transport. They also work in the role of rapid airlift assets for the FGNE operators. Ejercito del Aire is also planning to acquire MPA platforms that would replace the three P-3C Orion ASW aircraft operated currently (which is indirectly related to the Spanish Navy, and which greatly depends on the budget for the upcoming years). The aircraft underwent over- hauls between 2017 and 2018, allowing it to extend their life cycles until 2025 when the US Air Force Logistics Command (MALOG) is ex- pected to suspend support. It seems, however, that the CASA C295M Persuader variant is a certain contender to become Spain's primary as- set in that domain. The platform is also manufactured domestically in Spain. The MPA variant of the C295 has been a major export hit - they are operated in Chile, Portugal, or in Ireland. Another possible scenario would see the C295M Persuaders replace the Persuader platform used by EdA, but based on the C235 airframe. This would lead to the unifica- tion of the fleet of the MPAs - one type would be used. NAVY