Image: Leonardo
Leonardo has signed a multi-year agreement with Italy’s National Armaments Directorate to deliver comprehensive logistics support for the Italian Air Force’s C-27J Spartan tactical transport fleet and the associated full-motion simulator used at the service’s International Training Centre (ITC) in Pisa, according to Leonardo.
The performance-based contract, which will run from 2026 to 2028, is designed to maintain high availability levels across the Air Force’s 12-strong C-27J fleet operating from Pisa and Pratica di Mare air bases. The model ties contractor compensation to aircraft readiness metrics, a growing trend in European military aviation support programmes intended to reduce downtime and improve lifecycle efficiency.
Scope of the Agreement
Under the deal, Leonardo will provide technical, administrative, and maintenance services for operations at the ITC in Pisa—home to the 46th Air Brigade, the primary Italian unit operating the C-27J. A significant element of the contract covers support for the centre’s full-motion flight simulator, which is used both for national aircrew training and for international customers participating in joint training programmes.
The agreement builds on long-standing cooperation between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, which has relied on contractor-provided support packages to sustain its air mobility fleet.
Role of the C-27J in Italian and Allied Operations
The C-27J Spartan serves as Italy’s key light tactical airlifter, operating in missions ranging from frontline resupply to humanitarian response. Its short-takeoff capability and rugged airframe enable operations from semi-prepared or austere runways—requirements that are increasingly important for NATO’s dispersed-operations concepts and for missions in disaster-affected regions.
According to Leonardo, the aircraft has accumulated more than 275,000 flight hours globally and is in service with several air forces worldwide. The platform has been extensively deployed in demanding operational environments and has demonstrated resilience in both military and civil-protection roles.
Italy employs the C-27J for troop and cargo transport, airdrop missions, medical evacuation, and rapid-response logistics. The aircraft’s cabin can be reconfigured into 11 mission layouts—five using standard kits that can be installed in under 30 minutes, and six optional modules such as VIP transport, biocontainment, and advanced firefighting. This flexibility has made the platform central to Italy’s domestic emergency missions, including support during natural disasters.
Advancements in the Spartan Fleet
Leonardo highlighted continuing enhancements to the aircraft through the C-27J Spartan Next Generation upgrade, which incorporates new avionics, improved aerodynamics, and updated mission systems. These improvements are intended to extend the aircraft’s service life and expand its suitability for multi-domain operations.
While the newly signed contract focuses on sustainment rather than upgrades, the support framework is expected to reinforce the operational reliability of both legacy C-27Js and the latest configuration as they enter service.
Strategic Significance
Logistics support contracts of this type are critical to ensuring predictable fleet availability for the Italian Air Force at a time when NATO nations are placing greater emphasis on rapid mobility, resilient logistics networks, and interoperable training capabilities. The inclusion of the ITC simulator in the agreement underscores Italy’s intent to maintain a robust training pipeline for its own crews and for international partners who regularly train in Pisa.
Leonardo’s announcement reflects the company’s broader strategy to provide integrated support solutions across its military aviation portfolio, aligning with government efforts to maximise fleet readiness and control lifecycle costs.
Source: Leonardo Press Release
