The first C-27J Spartan airlifter is fully operational, it delivers materiel to SVK personnel in Cyprus

The first C-27J Spartan airlifter, which was taken on charge (TOC) at Tactical Wing Kuchyňa in October 2017, is fully operational. Thanks to this, after years of absence the SVK Air Force has regained the capability of delivering supplies and equipment to its troops on operations and missions, including to the SVK Contingent in UNFICYP, Cyprus.
 
SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “I am very pleased that after the new Spartan transport aircraft has been test-flown and pilots have received required training, it is now fully operational and ready to perform tasks as part of domestic and international crisis management operations. The air transport capability is vital to every Air Force, that is why it is highly positive that we have managed to restore it.”
 
CHOD Gen Milan Maxim said: “The first use of the aircraft for transporting materiel to UNFICYP has saved us considerable financial resources, which can be used for the SVK Armed Forces to perform other tasks.”
 
The purchase of the two C-27J Spartan airlifters was made in compliance with the SVK Air Force Development Concept. The SVK MOD negotiated a discount of 900,000 euros as a contractual penalty for the delay in the delivery of the aircraft. The SVK military expects to take delivery of the second transport aircraft in the coming days.