Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, has delivered today, at “Vrazhdebna” military base of Sofia (in Bulgaria), the final C-27J ordered by the Bulgarian Air Force in 2006, and unveiled a logistics support centre for the aircraft.

The delivery ceremony was attended by Mr. Boyko Borisov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr. Anu Anguelov, Bulgarian Defence Minister, Mr. Giuseppe Cossiga, Italian Defence Undersecretary, Mr. Stefano Benazzo, Italian Ambassador in Bulgaria, Gen. S.A. Maurizio Ludovisi, Deputy-Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force and Mr. Giuseppe Giordo, Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aeronautica and Responsible of the Aeronautics sector of Finmeccanica Group.

“The unveiling of this logistics centre is evidence of Alenia Aeronautica’s ability and willingness to offer its customers cutting-edge products and services while developing strategic and lasting relationships,” said Mr. Giuseppe Giordo.

The Bulgarian Air Force’s fleet now includes three C-27J tactical transport aircraft, compliant with the NATO standards and interoperable with heavier airlifters in service with other Atlantic Alliance countries and capable of operating also in the most complex operational scenarios, thanks to its active and passive self-defence systems.

The Bulgarian C-27Js are in fact equipped with self-defence systems that significantly improve the aircraft’s capability of operating also in the most difficult operational conditions.

In addition to Bulgaria, the C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco (first non-NATO Country) and by the US.

The C-27J Spartan, made by Alenia Aeronautica, is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility, best performances for an aircraft of its category in all weather conditions and is the only aircraft of its class offering interoperability with heavier airlifters.

Purposefully designed for all tactical transport operations in support of front line troops and thanks to its capability of operating in full autonomy and of taking-off and landing in any weather condition from/on semi-prepared runways (long less than 500 metres), the C-27J proves to be also an ideal aircraft for civil defence and support to humanitarian missions.

Source and photo: Alenia