Making an appearance at the Australian International Air Show was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-003, one of ten battlefield airlifters ordered by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to complement the RAAF's fleet of twelve Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules and eight Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.
As a replacement for the venerable de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou that was retired in 2009 after more than 40 years of service with the Australian Defence Force, acquisition of the C-27J Spartan will again enable defence the ability to move troops, equipment and supplies to small, remote and unprepared airfields not suitable for the larger C-130J Hercules.
Initially, the C-27J will be based at RAAF Base Richmond until permanent facilities to accommodate the Spartan at RAAF Base Amberley are completed later this year.
Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of the RAAF's C-27J fleet was achieved in December 2016, with Final Operating Capability (FOC) expected to be attained late 2017.
