Thailand takes delivery of Airbus Military C212-400 (c) Airbus Military
Madrid, 11 May 2011
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) of Thailand has taken delivery of the first of two C212-400 it has ordered from Airbus Military. The MoAC will receive the second aircraft by the turn of the 2011/2012. They are joining a fleet of 11 C212s the MoAC is already operating.
Fitted with a specific kit, the main role of these aircraft is “rain-making” through cloud-seeding in the largely drought-affected country, as well as boosting water volume in dams. The C212 can also transport personnel, as well as bulky items thanks to the rear ramp. It has a 22 m3 cabin volume and is able to carry up to 2.8 tonnes of cargo.
This more modern C212-400 version incorporates additional equipment such as a Flight Management System (FMS).
“Airbus Military is very proud to contribute to this Rain Making programme initiated by the King of Thailand”, says Head of Light & Medium Programmes, Rafael Tentor. In addition to the C212, the MoAC also operates two CN235. Furthermore, the Royal Thai Army operates two C212. The Royal Thai Police also operates a CN235. Including this latest delivery, Thailand now has a fleet of 17 Airbus Military Light and Medium Family aircraft.
Before landing in Bangkok, the aircraft and its crew completed an eight day ferry from Seville with different stops in Italy, Greece, Jordania, Qatar, and India. The delivery, held at Nakhon Sawan Airport, was presided by Mr. Kiattisak Thangtrongsakol, Director of the Aviation Section from the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation, MoAC, and was attended by Airbus Military’s Customer Support Director in the area, Arturo Ballesteros.
To date, Airbus Military has sold 477 C212 to 92 different operators.
The image enclosed shows the C212-400 received by the MoAC of Thailand.
About C212
The outstanding reliability demonstrated by more than three million flight hours makes the C212 the most successful aircraft in the light transport segment for the most varied types of operations. With a maximum payload of 2.8 tonnes, it was designed to operate in austere environments for long periods of time. Its robustness allows it an absolutely reliable operation in the desert, the jungle o the Antarctic. Its unique STOL performance with low-pressure tires allows unrestricted operations on soft and unpaved fields in hot and high altitude conditions. The excellent handling qualities and its fast engine response enable the highest level of manoeuvrability at very low altitudes. The C212’s simple design and maintenance reduce the life cycle costs to the lowest level in its segment.
About Airbus Military
Airbus Military is the only military and civic/humanitarian transport aircraft manufacturer to develop, produce, sell and provide support and services for a comprehensive family of airlifters with a payload range of three to 45 tonnes. An Airbus subsidiary, Airbus Military is responsible for the A400M programme, the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and further military derivatives based on Airbus civil aircraft. These, together with the smaller 'Light & Medium' C295, CN235 and C212, make Airbus Military the global leader in the market for military transport, tanker and surveillance aircraft capable of performing the most varied types of missions. Altogether, Airbus Military has sold more than 1,000 aircraft to some 130 military, civil and governmental customers. More than 800 of these aircraft have been delivered. Airbus is an EADS company.
Contacts for the media:
Jaime Perez-Guerra
Head of Communications Airbus Military
Airbus Military
Tel.: +34 91.5 85 77 89
Fax: +34 91.5 85 72 64
Barbara Kracht
Media Relations Airbus Military
Airbus Military
Tel.: +34 91.5 85 77 88
Fax: +34 91.5 85 72 64
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