Azerbaijan is buying C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft

9 June, 2023 C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft. Photo from open sources Azerbaijan has ordered C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft from Italy.

The announcement was made by the Leonardo company, which is the manufacturer of these aircraft. The agreement provides for the supply of C-27J to expand the capabilities of the Air Force of Azerbaijan. The signing of the contract was announced on June 8.

It was signed in the presence of officials of the defense ministries of both countries during the visit of the Azerbaijani delegation to Italy.

C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft likely for the Azerbaijan Air Force, June 2023. Photo credits: Twitter/@CiroNappi6

This agreement is concluded within the framework of a large-scale modernization program of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. The exact number of S-27J Spartan aircraft to be purchased remains undisclosed at this time.

However, the Italian mass media previously reported that it regarded two military transport aircraft by the Italian company Leonardo. The value of the contract for the purchase of aircraft is also unknown.

C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft. Photo credits: Leonardo company

The C-27J Spartan is capable of developing a maximum speed of up to 602 kilometers per hour, and a cruise speed of about 500 km/h. The aircraft can fly up to 4.3 thousand kilometers with a load of 6 tons, and if the weight of the load is greater, the flight range is shorter, respectively.

The maximum carrying capacity of the transporter is 11.5 tons. The aircraft is designed to carry 60 soldiers or 36 stretchers and six medical workers.

M-346FA.

Photo from open sources

Earlier, Azerbaijan signed an agreement with Leonardo on the purchase of a batch of M-346 jet trainers and light combat aircraft.

The aircraft can be used both as a jet trainer and as a light combat aircraft.