Azerbaijan unveils new military aircraft
On 26 June 2024, the Azrbaycan herbi hava qüvvelerl (Azerbaijan Air and Air Defence Force) received a Leonardo C-27J Spartan NG military transport aircraft.
The presentation of the new transporter, serial 40860/60 wh (test registration CSX62333) took place on Armed Forces Day, marking the 106th anniversary of the Azerbaijani army.
The unveiling ceremony at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku was attended by President Ilham Aliyev, Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli, and Chairman of "Leonardo" company Stefano Pontecorvo.
The Azerbaijan Defence Ministry stated that the C-27J will be used for military transport, airdrops of paratroopers and cargo, and conducting medical missions.
Azerbaijan has become the latest country to join the global family of C-27J Spartan operators, making it the 17th country to operate these transporters. The total number of C-27J aircraft ordered by Azerbaijan has not been officially announced, but Leonardo's "Integrated Annual Report 2023" states that Azerbaijan has ordered two C-27Js.
Credit photo: A-129 Mangusta (Twitter @NichoConcu)