The photograph, posted on the social network X, shows the aircraft taking off with the inscription “Azerbaijan Air Force.” A user under the nickname Turan reported that the aircraft will soon be delivered to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan signed a contract with Leonardo in 2023 to supply C-27J military transport aircraft. According to a press release published by the company on June 8 last year, the sale of C-27J Spartan aircraft to Azerbaijan will help expand trade relations with Italy. However, information about the total number of units Azerbaijan will purchase and the total cost of the deal has not been disclosed.
Social media posts state that the company will sell the Next Generation (NG) version of these aircraft to Azerbaijan.
The C-27J Spartan tactical military transport aircraft was developed by the LMATTS consortium (Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems) based on the G222/C-27 Spartan aircraft. Its first flight took place in September 1999.
The Spartan can carry up to 46 soldiers or 36 fully-equipped paratroopers. For rescue missions, the cabin can accommodate up to 36 injured on stretchers and up to six medics.
The C-27J is designed for numerous military and civilian tasks, including troop and cargo transport, parachute drop operations, scientific evacuation, search and rescue operations, maritime patrol, and firefighting.
The C-27J has an extended flight range, allowing it to perform tasks over longer distances. Additionally, its range can be further increased thanks to an in-air refueling capability.
The C-27J’s takeoff and landing capabilities allow it to operate from shorter and semi-prepared runways, making it suitable for flights in challenging conditions.
The C-27J Next Generation is an advanced model of the tactical C-27J Spartan delivery aircraft, created based on the proven capabilities of its predecessor.
The C-27J Next Generation is equipped with an upgraded avionics suite, including the latest enhancements in virtual displays, communication structures, and flight management software. This can give pilots the ability to focus more clearly on the situation and reduce workload, allowing them to perform tasks more efficiently in both normal and challenging conditions.
To meet the growing demands of modern military operations, the maximum payload of the C-27J Next Generation has been increased. This enhancement will allow the transport of more troops, equipment, or valuable humanitarian resources in a single flight, thus also increasing operational efficiency.
Until now, the Azerbaijani Air Force’s inventory consisted of Soviet-manufactured Il-76 military transport aircraft. Therefore, the fleet clearly needs updating.
