As part of its latest defence strategy, Australia will phase out its Leonardo C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and replace them with commercially based airframes.
The plan, unveiled in April, reflects the Royal Australian Air Force’s broader shift toward strengthening long-range strike and surveillance capabilities.
Australian authorities have not yet confirmed when the Spartan fleet will retire or what commercial aircraft type will replace it, local media reports stated.
The replacement platforms are expected to focus on supporting the sovereign airlift and surveillance requirements of Pacific partner nations, while the RAAF’s newly acquired fleet of 20 C-130J Hercules aircraft will undertake higher-end operational missions.
According to sources, the decision to retire the Spartan was partly driven by maintenance and upgrade challenges, including spare parts shortages and sustainment issues associated with Australia’s uniquely modified aircraft configuration.
Additional reports suggested that integrating modern identification friend or foe (IFF) systems into the aircraft had also proven difficult.
Although facing these challenges, the C-27J has been heavily used in humanitarian and disaster-relief operations, including support missions during bushfires and flooding events in Queensland.
Its ability to operate from short and remote airstrips also made it valuable for regional deployments and support operations across the Pacific.
About the C-27J Spartan
Australia introduced the C-27J Spartan into service in 2015 as a lightweight tactical airlifter optimized for operations from short and underdeveloped runways.
By 2020, the aircraft’s role had shifted away from frontline battlefield operations toward light transport and humanitarian assistance tasks.
The Royal Australian Air Force currently operates 10 C-27J aircraft through No. 35 Squadron stationed at Amberley, Queensland.
The Spartan is 23 meters (75 feet) long, features a 29-meter (95-foot) wingspan, and can transport up to 11,300 kilograms of cargo or accommodate 60 personnel.
Power is provided by two Rolls-Royce AE 2100D2A turboprop engines producing more than 4,600 horsepower each, driving six-blade Dowty propellers with a diameter of 14 feet.
The aircraft can reach speeds of up to 325 knots (602 km/h), fly missions out to 950 nautical miles (1,759 kilometers), and operate at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet (9,144 meters).
