Gabon to borrow $52m from U.S.-based Santander bank to buy payload military carrier

Gabon is set to apply for a $52 million loan from Boston-based Santander bank to place order for a C295 military carrier from European multinational aerospace corporation Airbus.

The aircraft will beef up the operation capacities of the air forces, local media “Gabon Review” reports.

C295, according to experts, is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment.

The website of the corporation indicates that the aircraft is robust and reliable but also highly versatile in terms of the number of different missions it can perform. The C295 conducts multi-role operations worldwide under all weather conditions. It is fully certified and routinely operates day and night in combat missions in all weather extremes, from desert to maritime environments, from extremely hot to extremely cold temperatures, the website adds.

The new C295 version is equipped with winglets and is capable of transporting more payload over larger distances in the hot and high conditions, resulting in fuel consumption savings of around 4% and increased safety margins in mountainous regions.

C295’s production takes place at Airbus’ facility in Spain. The aircraft has received orders from military and civil operators all over the world, from Canada and Egypt to Spain and Indonesia.