The second Spartan transport aircraft touches down at Kuchyňa Air Base
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- Date: 09.04.2018
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The second C-27J Spartan today touched down at Kuchyňa Air Base. The SVK Air Force’s transport fleet has now two transport aircraft of this type. The official technical handover of the aircraft to “General M. R. Štefánik” Transport Wing Kuchyňa is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “I am very pleased that today we have brought the procurement of the Spartan transport aircraft to a successful end. Our Armed Forces are once again adequately and technically equipped to perform air transport tasks of greater scope and complexity. This means we can gradually manage to transport our troops and materiel independently. Of course, the aircraft will also be ready to perform domestic and international crisis management tasks.” He added that the first C-27J Spartan airlifter, which has been in service with the SVK Air Force since the end of last year, has reached its In-Service Date (ISD) and is already transporting equipment and material to the SVK personnel deployed on a tour of duty in UNFICYP, Cyprus.
According to SVK CHOD General Milan Maxim, the Spartan crews will have been trained, at the latest, by September 2018, so that they can make the best of all of the aircraftʼs capabilities. “In the case of the first aircraft the crews are already trained and ready. They only need about 8 more flying hours to go over some specific procedures,” explained Gen Maxim.
General Secretary of the MOD’s Service Office Ján Hoľko emphasised that the modernisation of the Armed Forces will proceed in line with the Long-Term Defence Development Plan. “We have made the plan available to the public to become familiar with it, whereas the plan envisages defence investments worth €30 billion up to 2030,” he said.
The procurement of the two C-27J Spartan airlifters began in 2008 when the contractor was selected in a public bidding process. However, it was not until 2014 that the supply contract was signed. The contract entails a 5-year in-service logistic support package. Through the purchase of the Spartan aircraft, the SVK Air Force will retain its air transport capability and, after years of absence, will be capable of operating autonomously.
SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “I am very pleased that today we have brought the procurement of the Spartan transport aircraft to a successful end. Our Armed Forces are once again adequately and technically equipped to perform air transport tasks of greater scope and complexity. This means we can gradually manage to transport our troops and materiel independently. Of course, the aircraft will also be ready to perform domestic and international crisis management tasks.” He added that the first C-27J Spartan airlifter, which has been in service with the SVK Air Force since the end of last year, has reached its In-Service Date (ISD) and is already transporting equipment and material to the SVK personnel deployed on a tour of duty in UNFICYP, Cyprus.
According to SVK CHOD General Milan Maxim, the Spartan crews will have been trained, at the latest, by September 2018, so that they can make the best of all of the aircraftʼs capabilities. “In the case of the first aircraft the crews are already trained and ready. They only need about 8 more flying hours to go over some specific procedures,” explained Gen Maxim.
General Secretary of the MOD’s Service Office Ján Hoľko emphasised that the modernisation of the Armed Forces will proceed in line with the Long-Term Defence Development Plan. “We have made the plan available to the public to become familiar with it, whereas the plan envisages defence investments worth €30 billion up to 2030,” he said.
The procurement of the two C-27J Spartan airlifters began in 2008 when the contractor was selected in a public bidding process. However, it was not until 2014 that the supply contract was signed. The contract entails a 5-year in-service logistic support package. Through the purchase of the Spartan aircraft, the SVK Air Force will retain its air transport capability and, after years of absence, will be capable of operating autonomously.
