Alenia C-27 Spartan (photo : d_m_b)
A contract has been signed with Alenia Aermacchi that will
allow for the long tern operation, maintenance, modification and upgrade of the
C-27J aircraft and support systems.
On 12 May, the Government announced the decision to purchase
10 Alenia C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlift aircraft at a cost of $1.4 billion.
The announcement also foreshadowed that Defence would seek a separate agreement
with the C-27J manufacturer, Alenia, in order to ensure that the RAAF could
operate, maintain and modify the aircraft throughout its planned life.
The contract, which is worth around $63 million, will also
provide Defence with the ability to compete and sublicense third parties,
including Australian industry, to provide the maintenance services, training
services and the ability to modify the C-27J capability.
The C-27J will replace the Caribou aircraft which was
retired from service in 2009 after a career spanning more than four decades. The
C-27J complements the capabilities of the C-130 and C-17 aircraft and uses more
common infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the
cargo handling systems.
The acquisition of the C-27J will significantly improve the
ADF’s ability to move troops, equipment and supplies. The C-27J has the
capacity to carry a significant load and still access small, sort, narrow
runways that are too short for the C-130J or runways which are unable to
sustain the repeated use of larger aircraft.
These aircraft will provide battlefield airlift but are also
capable of conducting airlift in our region. They will be able to operate from
rudimentary airstrips in Australia
and overseas and will be able to support humanitarian missions in remote
locations.
The flexibility of the C-27J allows it to undertake a wide
range of missions from delivering ammunition to front line troops to
undertaking aero-medical evacuation of casualties.
(Aus DoD)
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