Turin 29 October 2014
Finmeccanica - Alenia Aermacchi and the Slovak Defence Ministry yesterday, 29th October, have signed a contract for the supply of two C-27J Spartan aircraft including the relative initial logistic support and the training of pilots and maintenance personnel.
The acquisition of the C-27J by the Slovak Air Force is part of the Slovak Armed Forces’ modernisation programme, of which the two new tactical transport aircraft are a first step. The contract represents the conclusion of the bid issued by the Slovak Defence Ministry and that Alenia Aermacchi had won in 2008 when the C-27J had been selected.
Alenia Aermacchi deems that the Slovak Defence Ministry’s choice is the demonstration that, when the requirement is for performances and capabilities that only a true military transport aircraft can meet, the C-27J is the only excellent cost-effective solution. The Slovak Armed Forces intend to increase their own contribution within NATO and the C-27J Spartan, thanks to its excellent capabilities in operational scenarios, is the fundamental means to assure full interoperability with other bigger-size heavy airlifters used in international coalitions.
The C-27J Spartan, the aircraft that became a reference for Europe and NATO countries, is the world’s best seller in the new-generation, medium battlefield airlifter’s category. The C-27J is a twin-engine, turboprop, tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and other onboard systems. It provides high performance, extreme operating flexibility and cost efficiency and the best performances among the aircraft of its class in all conditions an unique characteristics of interoperability with heavier airlifters.
The aircraft has been ordered by the Air Forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Rumania, Morocco U.S.A., Mexico, Australia, and by an African Country, recently by Peru and yesterday by Slovak Republic, for a total of 78 airplanes.