Thailand takes delivery of Airbus Military C212-400

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.

Source: Airbus Military