Azerbaijan Receives The First C-27J Sparta Military Transport Aircraft From Leonardo
On June 26, the Azerbaijani Air Force welcomed the arrival of a C-27J Sparta military transport aircraft from the Italian company Leonardo on Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated throughout the country on the 106th anniversary of the formation of the Azerbaijani army. This delivery, which will significantly aid the development of the country’s aging air force, was made in accordance with an agreement reached between Azerbaijani authorities and the Italian company last year.
According to a statement issued by Azerbaijan’s Presidency, President Ilham Aliyev visited Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku to examine the new “C-27J Spartan” aircraft. President Aliyev was accompanied by Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli, and Leonardo managers.
After receiving information about the technical features and operation of the aircraft purchased, President Aliyev stated, “This new generation military transport aircraft will significantly increase the operational capacity of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and make a significant contribution to our country’s defense capabilities. We aim to further strengthen our defense cooperation with Italy.”
Details of Azerbaijan’s agreement with Italy are unknown at this time. As a result, it remains to be seen whether this delivery completes the contract or if additional procurements will be made in the future. Aside from that, we know that this aircraft will be used for military transport, airdrops of paratroopers and cargo, and medical missions, as well as to support the Azerbaijani Air Force’s air transport fleet, which currently only consists of two Ilyushin Il-76s.
Aside from Azerbaijan, 17 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, South and North America prefer the C-27J Sparta, a multi-purpose turboprop military transport aircraft capable of carrying soldiers and cargo as well as carrying out humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions, VIP transportation, firefighting, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), maritime patrol, and tactical support missions. These aircraft, which were developed based on the Aeritalia G.222 and have the same engine and technical infrastructure as the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, have a top speed of 602 kilometers per hour and can cruise at 500 kilometers per hour thanks to two Rolls Royce AE2100-D2A engines producing 3,458 kW (4,637 shp) each. With a maximum payload of 11.5 tons, the aircraft has a range of 4.3 thousand kilometers with 6 tons of payload and 1,759 kilometers at full capacity. The C-27J needs a runway length of 580 meters for takeoff and 340 meters for landing on unprepared runways. The C-27J requires only 12.1 m of runway width to make a 180-degree turn on the runway it landed on and take off again.