Leonardo has delivered to the Slovenian Ministry of Defence (MoD) its first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, the company announced on 20 December 2023.
The delivered Spartan is the first of two C-27J Next Generation aircraft contracted following the Italy-Slovenia government-to-government (G2G) agreement signed on 17 November 2021.
Within the framework of the G2G agreement between the two countries, Leonardo and the Italian Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (Armaereo) have signed two contracts over the last two years, each of which includes one aircraft plus logistics and training services. The selection of the C-27J by the Slovenian MoD meets a variety of operational needs in terms of transport and force projection capabilities for international operations. This is in addition to national missions such as rescue, disaster relief and firefighting duties.
The C-27J’s capabilities have grown over the years to meet a number of evolving requirements. The aircraft can be provided with multiple easily installed roll-on/roll-off mission kits, an in-flight refuelling fit, as well as self-protection, secure communications and ballistic protection systems for operations in high-threat environments.
The C-27J Next Generation, meanwhile, is equipped with advanced avionics that include a glass cockpit with five multi-function colour screens, a radar for tactical transport missions, upgraded communication systems, ballistic protection, and winglets to enhance its aerodynamic performance.
The Slovenian air force intends to use the C-27J in its new firefighting configuration, equipped with the latest-generation palletised Modular Airborne Fire-Fighting System II (MAFFS II) from United Aeronautical Corporation: a world leader in aerial firefighting equipment.
