RBAF Completes Air Transport Fleet with the Arrival Ceremony of Two Airbus C295MW Aircrafts

23 April 2026

Arrival ceremony of two Airbus C295MW aircrafts (photos: Brunei Mindef)

RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE – His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (Udara) Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Mateen ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah today graced the Arrival Ceremony of the final two Airbus C295MW aircraft for the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) at the Air Movement Centre, Rimba Air Force Base.

Upon arrival at the Air Movement Centre, His Royal Highness was received by Yang Mulia Brigadier General (Udara) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Yang Mulia Brigadier General (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Yang Mulia Brigadier General (Udara) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud, Commander of the RBAirF. Also in attendance were Members of the RBAF Executive Committee and senior officers of the RBAF.

The ceremony commenced with witnessing the traditional "Water Salute" as the aircrafts entered the Military Apron, accompanied by the recitation of Selawat as a sign of gratitude for the aircrafts' safe arrival. The two aircraft completed a seven-day ferry flight from the supplier's facility which begun on 14 April 2026.

The ceremony continued with the recitation of Doa Selamat, led by Yang Mulia Major Narulismandy @ Anwar Hadi bin Hj Samah, Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate (JAMA'AT), followed by His Royal Highness' inspection of the newly arrived aircraft and then introduced to the delivery crew. His Royal Highness then consented to enter the aircraft's cockpit.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo session, followed by Royal Hi-Tea at Bilik Merbuk and signing of the Royal Parchment prior to His Royal Highness's departure.

The arrival of the third and fourth aircraft, designated 'TUDB 504' and 'TUDB 505', completes the RBAirF's Airbus C295MW fleet. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the modernization of RBAirF, further enhancing its airlift capabilities in support of national and regional missions.

The first two aircraft were delivered on 24 January 2024, in a ceremony graced by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. 

The aircraft was subsequently introduced into service on 14 February 2024, in the Introduction to Service Ceremony officiated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, during which His Majesty personally piloted the aircraft.

Since entering service, the Airbus C295MW fleet has logged 518 flights across eight Southeast Asian countries. Notable deployments include Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions to the Republic of the Philippines following Typhoon Trami in 2024 and to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in 2025. The aircraft also supported VIP transport missions, with operational reach extending as far as Timor-Leste.

(BRU Mindef)

from DEFENSE STUDIES https://ift.tt/5cH0Gu3
via IFTTT