The Spanish Indra Group has been commissioned by Airbus Defence and Space to develop the new simulator for the military transport aircraft C-295. This simulator will form a central element of the future pilot training center that the Spanish Air Force will establish at its Getafe airbase. The Airbus C-295 will be used by it primarily for dropping and transporting paratroopers and special forces.
It is a tactical turboprop transport aircraft that is used worldwide by more than 35 countries for military missions, humanitarian operations, disaster relief and maritime surveillance/anti-submarine warfare — in addition to Spain also by India, France, Canada, Poland, Finland, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, the United States and many more. Indra will now develop a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) that is characterized by the highest possible degree of realism and will significantly facilitate preparation for tactical missions.
C-295 crews can train in a realistic environment
This approach, according to Indra, represents one of the company’s most important unique selling points: the firm has targeted its development work at advanced systems that prepare pilots not only to operate the aircraft but, above all, to carry out their tactical missions with absolute precision. For this purpose, the simulator will be equipped with INVIS — Indra’s currently most advanced vision system available — as well as a geo-specific database that allows crews to train in a completely realistic environment.
This helps them to become familiar in advance with the airports, runways and bases from which they will operate, which in turn increases effectiveness and safety. In this virtual environment, pilots can also repeat procedures, flight maneuvers and emergency plans as often as they wish. Thus, they are able to perform these procedures in real-life situations almost automatically and with the highest possible speed and optimal coordination.
Indra has already developed simulators for the A400M and the A330 MRTT
Airbus Defence and Space acts as the main contractor for the provision of the entire training center. The contract covers both the planning and construction of the facilities as well as the flight simulator developed by Indra and the initial phase of comprehensive technical support for the operation of the center.
From an industrial perspective, the development of this highly advanced simulator strengthens Indra’s position as a leading provider of simulators for one of the world’s most widely used transport aircraft, according to the company. This contract complements the one that Indra was awarded in 2024 by Airbus Defence and Space for developing the simulator for the C-295 MPA maritime patrol aircraft. The company has also developed simulators for the A400M and the A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
