C-27 Spartan: Five modernised Air Force Spartans ready in 2025

Their “feathers” even within 2025 will open five modernized transport C-27 Spartan for Greek . The Supreme Air Council lit the “green light” for the extension of the “Follow On Support” support contract for another five years with a simultaneous launch to modernise a total of eight transport aircraft from those available to the Air Force. CORVERSE Already the maintenance and support programme of the 354th Tactical Transport Squadron “PEGASOS” “runs” within a timetable, resulting in four available aircraft being assigned, while within the next few months another one is to be delivered. The ejection in the C-27’s availability following the launch of the FOS program – with the signing of the relevant contract in 2022 which was completed in 2026 – gave significant “respiration” to the transport work of the Armed Forces as Spartan undertook missions for which until now the Air Force used the largest and most cost-effective C-130 Hercules. The result was the completion of hundreds of flight hours resulting in a dramatic reduction in the availability of the HAF’s main transport aircraft. CORVERSE The cost of the upgrade program and what includes The total cost of the “renaissance” package and upgrade of the C-27 aircraft fleet is, according to Onalert.gr , approximately EUR 250 million , guaranteed by the manufacturer the availability at 80% of the total fleet of the Spartans , i.e. seven aircraft available at any time. The proposal will include two optional kits, one for Medevac patient transit missions and another for ISR surveillance and electronic war missions. The expected modernisation, in addition to the new avionics, will include a new FMS flight control system (Flight ManagementSystem), new digital screens as well as the possibility of installing an aircraft’s self-protection system and electronic warfare with high-tech jammers. There will still be the possibility of installing the Link 16 data transmission system, which is used both by Air Force fighters and ASEPE flying radars and by the new MH-60 Romeo type helicopters, but also by the new Belharra frigates of the Navy. In modernisation of C-27J Spartan the Italian Air Force, the Romanian Air Force, the Royal Air Force of Australia, and also the US Coast Guard have already advanced. A total of 88 C-27J Spartan-type aircraft are currently operating worldwide in 16 Air Force including the Greek Air Force. C-27 are two-engined transport aircraft with a maximum range of 3,160 miles, a transport capacity of more than 11 tonnes, a transfer capacity of up to 60 soldiers or 46 parachutes, while they can be formed either on fire aircraft or even on aerial refueling aircraft of fighters and helicopters. They are 22.7 metres long, wingspan 28.7 meters, operate with a crew of 2-3 people and can develop speed up to 600 km with a maximum flight height of 30,000 feet. source: Onalert.gr – Reportage: Kostas Sarikas