The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has ordered two C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument to strengthen its emergency response, civil protection, and humanitarian support capabilities.
The aircraft will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, coordinated by the Department for Emergency Situations, and will be deployed for missions in Romania and across Europe. These include emergency management cooperation, civil protection operations, and support for populations affected by disasters or critical incidents.
The two C-27J aircraft will expand the Ministry’s air mobility capabilities and introduce rapidly reconfigurable roll-on/roll-off mission kits. Beyond transport roles, they will support a wide range of disaster relief missions of critically ill, injured, or contagious patients, precision firefighting operations, and long-range search and rescue (SAR) missions over land and sea.
The order brings Romania’s total C-27J fleet to nine aircraft and raises the global program total to 102 aircraft ordered by 22 operators across 19 countries. The manufacturer said deliveries under the contract, including mission kits, logistics support, training, and infrastructure, are expected to begin in 2029.
The new aircraft will be Romania’s first Next Generation C-27J variants, joining a fleet already in service with the Romanian Air Force (RoAF) s since 2010 that has accumulated more than 30,000 flight hours across approximately 28,000 missions, including tactical transport, medical evacuation, firefighting, and training operations. These aircraft have supported both national and allied missions, including the COVID-19 response and large-scale wildfire operations across Europe.
The Next Generation configuration retains full interoperability with existing C-27J aircraft while introducing upgraded avionics, advanced communication systems, and aerodynamic improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency and mission performance.
Leonardo said the C-27J continues to demonstrate strong operational demand, with existing operators adding additional units, underscoring confidence in its reliability, flexibility, and performance in demanding environments. The platform has now accumulated more than 295,000 flight hours globally.
This contract further strengthens the long-term partnership between Romania and Leonardo and underscores Romania’s reliance on the C-27J platform to carry out a wide range of operational tasks across all environmental conditions. It also reflects Leonardo’s continued commitment to its long-standing cooperation with the country.
