Slovenia has received the first of two C-27J Spartan Next Generation aircraft that the Balkan country ordered from Italian aerospace, defense and security firm Leonardo under a government-to-government agreement in 2021.
The aircraft brings the Slovenian Armed Forces “on the path of development and modernization,” Defence Minister Marjan Sarec said during the C-27J handover ceremony at Cerklje ob Krki air base on Dec. 20.
According to Leonardo, the aircraft’s equipment includes advanced avionics, a satellite system, ballistic protection, a modular airborne fire-fighting system and aerodynamic-boosting winglets.
The C-27J’s capabilities fully meet the Slovenian Ministry of Defence requirements for transport and projection missions, rescue and relief operations, and firefighting, the company said. The contracts for the two C-27Js include logistics and training services.
Leonardo said more than 90 C-27Js operate for various countries globally, with its cost-effective military transport capability and interoperability with other transport planes. The aircraft’s deployments include troop transport missions, materials and paratroopers airdrop, maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.