Alenia Aermacchi has handed over the first C-27J Spartan tactical aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) during a ceremony at Las Palmas base in Lima, Peru.
The Peruvian Defence Ministry ordered two C-27J Spartans in December 2013 after a comprehensive testing programme, and followed it up with two more airlifters under a €100m deal in December 2014.
The first contract also requires the company to provide a logistic support package, technical assistance, training for pilots, crew and ground engineers, as well as a set of special equipment chosen by the customer.
According to the company, the aircraft selection was based on its ability to safely operate on a large number of airfields, including the unprepared strips in the Andes and of the many local airports, at high altitudes and with hot weather.
In addition, the decision took into consideration the airlifter’s competitive cost in all operational and environmental conditions in Peru.
Peru is expected to employ the C-27J as a strategic asset in passenger and cargo transport, humanitarian, fire-fighting, search and rescue, and internal security missions.
Deliveries under the two contracts are scheduled to be completed in 2017 and the aircraft will be managed by the 8th Air Group based at Callao, on Peru’s central coast.
The C-27J Spartan is powered by two AE 2100D3 turboshaft engines. It is a multi-mission aircraft and is designed to conduct cargo transportation, logistic support of military units, electronic surveillance, fire-fighting and search-and-rescue operations.
Apart from Peru, the aircraft has also been ordered by the air forces of Australia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Peru, as well as Romania, Morocco, Mexico Slovakia, the US, and an undisclosed African country.
Image: The Peruvian Air Force’s first C-27J Spartan tactical aircraft at Las Palmas base in Lima, Peru. Photo: courtesy of Alenia Aermacchi – A Finmeccanica Company.
