Slovenia Welcomes First of Two Advanced C-27J Aircraft

Leonardo has successfully delivered the initial C-27J Next Generation aircraft to the Slovenian Ministry of Defence as part of the Italy-Slovenia Government-to-Government (G2G) Agreement inked on November 17, 2021. This milestone marks the first of two aircraft committed under this bilateral agreement.

The aircraft boasts cutting-edge avionics featuring a glass cockpit equipped with five multifunctional color screens, a radar designed for tactical transport missions, robust communication systems, a satellite connection, ballistic protection, and winglets that enhance its aerodynamic performance significantly.

Within the scope of the G2G Agreement, Leonardo, in collaboration with the Air Armaments and Airworthiness Directorate of the Secretariat General of Defence / National Armaments Directorate, has finalized two contracts in the past couple of years. Each contract encompasses one aircraft alongside logistics and training services. The selection of the C-27J by the Slovenian Ministry of Defence perfectly aligns with their diverse operational requirements, catering to transport and projection capabilities essential for international missions. Moreover, it bolsters their capacity for national initiatives such as rescue missions, disaster relief, and firefighting duties.

The Slovenian program plans to utilize the C-27J in a specialized fire-fighting configuration. It will be outfitted with the cutting-edge MAFFS II (Modular Airborne Fire-Fighting System) from United Aeronautical Corporation, a globally renowned entity specializing in aerial firefighting application systems.

 

Hungarian Air Force To Issue Helo Tender to replace MI-17

Hungary is planning to issue a tender for a fleet of new helicopters later this year for its air arm.
The country has a national requirement for a fleet of light and medium helicopters not only for the air force but also for use by paramilitary organizations for missions such as search and rescue.
The air force has a need to replace the current fleet of 10 Russian-built Mil Mi-17s and Mi-8s, which the air arm is struggling to maintain and get parts for. The shortfall was partially alleviated with the recent arrival of a trio of secondhand Mi-8s from Russia.
Back in December 2011, the U.S. offered to donate 32 former Marine Corps UH-1N Hueys for use by the Hungarian armed forces, but when officials studied the deal and the likely maintenance cost of the aircraft, they reported that the country would be better off buying new, modern helicopters instead.
Last year the air force also unexpectedly retired its fleet of Mi-24 attack helicopters, now in storage.
The air force is also looking at options to replace its pair of aging Antonov An-26 transport aircraft, but the helicopters will be the first fleet to be renewed.
The country also has great ambitions for its small fleet of Saab JAS 39 Gripens, which are leased from Sweden.
Hungary has 12 single-seat JAS 39s and a pair of twin-seat JAS 39Ds used for training that entered service in 2006. Currently the air force mainly uses the aircraft for quick-reaction alert, defending the airspace of Hungary but also Northern Slovenia. They also have a limited ground-attack role with the AGM-65 Maverick.
aviationweek

Croacia y Eslovenia comprarán un caza conjuntamente/ Croatia, Slovenia to pursue joint fighter deal

Croacia y Eslovenia han acordado estudiar la compra conjunta de 12 nuevos cazas.
Croacia dispone de cazas MiG-21 cuya vida útil termina en 2011. Actualmente dispone de 10 unidades, estando solo cuatro operativa.
Se ha tenido en cuenta para su sustitución el Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 y el Saab Gripen, pero debido a restricciones presupuestarias no ha sido posible adquirir un sustituto.
Eslovenia dispone de nueve Pilatus PC-9M, con capacidad de disparar cohetes, ametralladoras y misiles AIM-9 Sidewinder, aunque su defensa aéra la proporciona Italia.
Podría formarse una fuerza aérea conjunta entre ambos países, y podría también adquirirse un avión de transporte de manera también.
flightglobal
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Croatia and Slovenia have agreed to form a new working group to study the possible joint procurement of at least 12 multirole fighters.
Croatia's remaining MiG-21s will reach the end of their service lives by the end of 2011. Two of its aircraft were lost in a recent mid-air collision, which reduced its fleet of the type to 10, but that includes only four operational examples.
The nation had postponed a new fighter tender due to budget constraints, with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 and Saab Gripen having been in contention. It is unclear when a decision could be made under the new bilateral arrangement.
The Slovenian air force has nine Pilatus PC-9Ms modified to carry unguided rockets and pod-housed machine guns. They are also wired to carry Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, although Italy now provides air policing cover for the nation.
A joint Croatian/Slovenian air force could be established at the latter's Cerklje air base, with co-operation between the NATO members to also possibly be extended to a joint transport acquisition.
flightglobal