The aircraft will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The structure is coordinated by the Department for Emergency Situations.
The two C-27Js will be used in Romania and across Europe for cooperation missions in emergency management and civil protection. They will also support populations affected by disasters or other critical situations.
Leonardo said the aircraft will expand the Ministry’s air mobility capabilities and create additional operational options. The C-27J can use rapidly and easily installable roll-on/roll-off mission kits.
Beyond personnel and cargo transport, the aircraft will support disaster relief missions. These include safe transport of critically ill, injured or contagious patients, high-precision firefighting and long-range, long-endurance search and rescue operations over land and sea.
The order brings the total number of Spartans acquired by Romania to nine. It also raises the global C-27J programme to 102 aircraft ordered by 22 operators in 19 countries.
The contract includes specific mission kits, logistic support, training and infrastructure. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2029.
The two aircraft will be the first Next Generation C-27Js delivered to Romania. They will join the C-27J fleet already operated by the Romanian Air Force since 2010.
Romania’s existing C-27J fleet has logged more than 30,000 flight hours. It has conducted around 28,000 tactical transport, medical evacuation, firefighting and training missions.
Leonardo said the aircraft have supported Romania and allied countries during critical situations. These included the COVID-19 emergency and the increasing number of wildfires in Europe.
The Next Generation configuration retains full interoperability with earlier C-27J aircraft. It also introduces new avionics, more advanced communication systems and aerodynamic enhancements.
Leonardo said these improvements are intended to increase efficiency and overall mission performance. The company said continued orders from existing operators confirm confidence in the aircraft’s reliability, mission flexibility and performance in demanding operational scenarios.
The new contract strengthens the long-term partnership between Romania and Leonardo. Leonardo said it also reflects Romania’s reliance on the C-27J’s capabilities for a wide range of missions in all environmental conditions.
The company said the C-27J continues to gain international success among existing and new operators. The global fleet has accumulated more than 295,000 flight hours.
