IRIA News

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Romania has signed a contract with Italian aerospace company Leonardo to acquire two C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, strengthening its air mobility and emergency response capabilities. The new order will bring Romania’s total fleet of C-27J aircraft to nine.

The deal was placed by Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) joint defense procurement framework.

The aircraft will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation and will be used for emergency response, disaster relief, civil protection missions, and regional cooperation operations across Europe. Delivery is scheduled for 2029.

According to officials, the aircraft will play a central role in Romania’s crisis response system. They will be deployed for medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, firefighting, and the transport of personnel and equipment during emergencies.

The C-27J Spartan platform is designed for short and rough runway operations, making it suitable for rapid deployment in disaster zones. The aircraft will also support cross-border missions within Europe as part of broader civil protection cooperation frameworks.

Upgrade for Romania’s Fleet

The newly ordered aircraft will be delivered in a next-generation configuration, while remaining fully interoperable with Romania’s existing C-27J fleet, which has been in service since 2010 and has logged more than 30,000 flight hours.

The upgraded platforms will include modern avionics, advanced communication systems, and aerodynamic improvements aimed at increasing operational efficiency and performance.

They will also feature modular roll-on/roll-off mission kits, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different tasks, including cargo transport, medical evacuation, firefighting, and hazardous material transport.

Regional Security Context and NATO Concerns

The acquisition comes as Romania continues to strengthen its defense and resilience posture amid ongoing regional instability linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Bucharest has emphasized the need to enhance national capabilities while also relying on allied support along NATO’s eastern flank.

Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruta recently highlighted concerns over security challenges in the region, calling for continued allied assistance following reported drone incursions near Galati.

Miruta stressed that while Romania is investing in its own defense capabilities, immediate operational support from allies remains essential until new systems are fully delivered.

Expanding Use of C-27J

The contract further expands the global footprint of the C-27J program, which now includes 102 aircraft ordered by 22 operators in 19 countries. The platform has accumulated hundreds of thousands of flight hours worldwide, with operators continuing to invest in additional units due to its reliability and multi-mission flexibility.

The aircraft’s mission management system integrates multiple sensors and allows real-time data sharing with command centers and other units, including beyond-line-of-sight communications.

A key element of the design is flexibility, as the mission consoles and specialized equipment can be removed from the aircraft, allowing it to be quickly reconfigured for transport, airdrop, or medical evacuation missions. This modular approach enables operators to use the aircraft across multiple roles, including logistics, disaster response, and maritime surveillance.

In addition to combat and surveillance roles, the aircraft will support search-and-rescue operations and air-drop missions, enhancing the Romanian Air Force’s ability to respond to emergencies at sea and along coastal areas.

For Romania, the new order reinforces a long-standing partnership with Leonardo and further integrates the country’s air capabilities into wider European emergency response and defense cooperation structures.