Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is strengthening its aerial emergency response capabilities with the acquisition of two Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme. The investment is designed to enhance the country’s ability to respond to emergencies, complex crises, civil protection operations and humanitarian missions both domestically and across Europe.
The aircraft will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation, which falls under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is coordinated by the Department for Emergency Situations. They will play a key role in supporting national and international emergency management efforts, enabling the rapid deployment of personnel, equipment and humanitarian assistance to areas affected by natural disasters, public emergencies and other critical situations.
The addition of the two C-27Js will significantly expand the ministry’s air mobility capabilities. Equipped with rapidly installable roll-on/roll-off mission kits, the aircraft will be capable of undertaking a broad range of operations beyond conventional cargo and personnel transport. These include medical evacuation missions, the safe transport of critically ill, injured or infectious patients, aerial firefighting, and long-range search and rescue operations over both land and sea.
The order increases Romania’s total Spartan fleet to nine aircraft and takes the global C-27J programme to 102 aircraft ordered by 22 operators across 19 countries. The contract also includes mission-specific equipment, training, logistics support and infrastructure development. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2029.
Notably, these will be the first Next Generation C-27Js delivered to Romania. They will complement the existing Spartan fleet operated by the Romanian Air Force, which has been in service since 2010. Over the past 15 years, the fleet has accumulated more than 30,000 flight hours and completed around 28,000 missions, including tactical transport, medical evacuation, firefighting and training operations. The aircraft have played an important role in supporting Romania and allied nations during major emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing number of severe wildfires across Europe.
The new-generation aircraft will retain full interoperability with Romania’s existing Spartans while introducing upgraded avionics, enhanced communications systems and aerodynamic improvements. These enhancements are expected to improve efficiency, operational flexibility and overall mission performance, ensuring the aircraft can meet the evolving demands of modern emergency response and humanitarian operations.
