The acquisition of the second tactical transport aircraft will ensure the continued operational capability of the SAF to provide tactical air transport of SAF personnel and cargo for its own needs, the needs of the State for the transport of people and cargo in the event of natural and other disasters, and to assist in the fighting of wildfires. The two aircraft will thus provide capacity and fill the gaps when one aircraft is unavailable due to maintenance.

The aircraft will enable:

• Providing a national vertical lift capability with a primary focus on the SAF's independence, self-sustainment and self-sufficiency in international operations and missions; 
• Movement to and from the SAF area of operations, ensuring endurance in the SAF area of operations and evacuation of SAF personnel;
• Continuous availability of at least one aircraft, based on 80% availability when only one aircraft is acquired; 
• support to other State authorities in the Republic of Slovenia;
• support within NATO and the European Union;
• support to Civil Protection in the event of natural and other disasters;
• support to other State authorities;
• support to partner countries lacking such capabilities;
• active participation in international air transport programmes such as ATARES.

Despite a two-year gap since the signing of the Implementing Agreement under which we purchased the first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, we managed to negotiate a price reduction of almost €3.5 million for the same configuration of the second aircraft. The firefighting and passenger transport modules already purchased will be able to be used interchangeably by both aircraft.

The signed amendment to the Implementing Agreement provides for the purchase of a second C-27J aircraft with the same configuration as the first aircraft and including a two-year warranty for a value of €45,408,679.04 exclusive of VAT. The value of the first C-27J aircraft, including certification, MEDEVAC standard and special modules, biological decontamination module, ballistic module, and including a two-year warranty, is €48,854,759.25 exclusive of VAT.

In addition to the above costs for the purchase of the first and second aircraft, the costs of ground support equipment, integral logistics support, training, spare parts and additional transport material, and the purchase of a fire fighting system and a passenger transport module must be added. Part of the cost of the purchase of the two aircraft also includes the costs of the Italian Military Aviation Authority and the administrative costs of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Italy for the duration of the Implementing Agreement.

The total cost of the purchase of the two C-27J tactical cargo aircraft, including all modules and logistic support, insurance, certification and management costs, amounts to €128,911,575.43 excluding VAT.

The first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft has already been constructed, it is currently undergoing certification, and is expected to arrive in Slovenia in December 2023, and the second one is expected in December 2024.