Alenia Aeronautica.

Alenia Aeronautica delivered the first C-27J tactical transport aircraft to the Bulgarian Air Force on 13 November. This is the first of five C-27Js ordered in 2006 by the Balkan country. The C-27Js, which will replace the current Bulgarian transport fleet of Antonov An-26 of Soviet origin, provide Bulgaria with a modern twin-engine tactical transport aircraft, compliant with NATO standards, interoperable with lamer transport aircraft in service with other countries of the Atlantic Alliance, and capable of operating also in the most complex operational scenarios as a result of its advanced active and passeve self-defence systems. The Bulgarian C-27Js are equipped with an active and passive Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) capable of protecting the aircraft against surface-to-air threats, and with ballistic protection and an inert-gas fuel tank explosion protection system, enhancing the aircraft's survivability even under the most difficult mission conditions. Designed for all tactical transport operations in direct support of front-line troops, the C-27J is capable of operating with complete autonomy from land-based equipment and can take-off and land under any weather condition on semi-prepared runways of even less than 500 metres in length. The C-27J has been ordered by six air forces to date: Italian (12 aircraft) Greek (12, plus 3 options), Lithuanian (3), Bulgarian (5) and by US Army and US Air Force (78), for a total of 110 aircraft. The aircraft has also been selected by the Romanian Air Force, with a contract for seven aircraft currently under negotiation.