Leonardo has won a contract to deliver two additional C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft to Romania, expanding the country’s fleet to nine aircraft. The acquisition was ordered by Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) joint procurement framework.
The new aircraft will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation and are intended to support emergency response, disaster relief, civil protection missions, and broader regional cooperation efforts across Europe. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029.
Romania’s latest Spartans will feature the next-generation C-27J configuration while retaining full compatibility with the nation’s existing fleet, which has accumulated more than 30,000 flight hours. The upgraded aircraft will incorporate advanced avionics, enhanced communications systems, and aerodynamic improvements designed to boost operational efficiency and performance.
In addition, the platforms will be equipped with modular roll-on/roll-off mission kits, enabling rapid reconfiguration for roles ranging from routine transport operations to specialized missions such as firefighting and biohazard response.
The purchase comes as Romania continues to strengthen national resilience and NATO interoperability amid growing regional security concerns linked to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruță recently called for enhanced support for NATO’s eastern flank following a drone intrusion incident near Galați.
