Alenia Aermacchi announced the sale of two more C-27J Spartan tactical transports, bringing the total order book to 80. The Peruvian air force (Spanish acronym FAP) placed a repeat order for two, for delivery in 2016 and 2017. The order is worth approximately $117 million, including integrated logistics support and technical assistance. The FAP’s first two C-27Js will be delivered in the next few months.

The Italian maker said that the C-27J was chosen because it could operate safely and efficiently “and at competitive cost” in Peruvian conditions, including from unprepared airstrips in the Andes mountains. The Spartan’s twin Rolls-Royce AE2100 turboprops each deliver 4,650 shp, and the aircraft can take off in 1,600 feet at an mtow of up to 70,000 pounds. 

First flown 15 years ago, the Spartan has garnered orders from the air forces of Australia, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Slovakia, the U.S. and an undisclosed African country. The U.S. procurement did not proceed according to the original plan. The aircraft is one of five potential competitors for Canada’s long-running Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue program. Alenia Aermacchi also offers the MC-27J armed multi-mission version, in partnership with ATK.