The Peruvian Air Force has ordered an additional Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, expanding its fleet to five aircraft as the Italian manufacturer continues to secure export sales for the twin-engine turboprop airlifter.
The aircraft is expected to enter service with Grupo 8 in 2027 and will become the first C-27J delivered in the new Next Generation configuration in Latin America. The updated version introduces avionics and aerodynamic improvements intended to improve efficiency and operational performance.
Peru has operated the C-27J since 2015, using the aircraft for transport missions across the country’s mountainous and remote regions, including operations in the Andes and Amazon basin.
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According to Leonardo, the fleet had accumulated nearly 16,000 flight hours by early 2026. The aircraft were also used in almost 600 medical evacuation missions and transported roughly 240,000 passengers and 9,000 tonnes of cargo.
The order also marks the 100th C-27J sold worldwide. Leonardo says the aircraft is currently in service with 18 countries.
Australia retires fleet
The new Peruvian order comes shortly after Australia decided to withdraw its fleet of 10 C-27Js from service under the country’s 2026 National Defence Strategy.
The Royal Australian Air Force introduced the Spartan between 2015 and 2018, initially using the aircraft as a battlefield transport before shifting it toward humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
Australian officials later cited low availability rates and technical issues as factors behind the decision to replace the fleet with commercial-type aircraft better suited for regional logistics and passenger transport missions across the Pacific.
