The Leonardo C-27J multi-mission tactical transport aircraft, with over 270,000 flight hours logged worldwide, is set to grow its global footprint with a new operator. Leonardo will deliver two C-27J aircraft to Aramco, configured for multi-role missions including cargo transport, firefighting, oil spill response, and medical evacuations in Saudi Arabia. Mukamalah Aviation Company, a wholly owned Aramco subsidiary operating as “Aloula Aviation,” will operate the aircraft and serve as the dedicated service center. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
With this contract, Aloula Aviation becomes the 20th operator of the C-27J, bringing the total number of aircraft ordered to 95. This is the first time a civilian customer has selected the C-27J in its multi-mission and firefighting variant, marking the aircraft’s expansion into the Middle East civil sector and further proving its versatility. Leonardo’s continuous investments in avionics, performance enhancements, and tailored mission solutions have strengthened the platform’s ability to meet diverse and demanding operational requirements.
The agreement also expands Leonardo’s longstanding partnership with Aramco, which has historically focused on helicopter operations for energy and rescue missions in Saudi Arabia, into the fixed-wing domain.
Leonardo’s C-27J Next Generation Fire Fighter offers a high-tech, flexible solution for firefighting and disaster response. Central to its capability is the MAFFS II system—a second-generation roll-on/roll-off firefighting module that can be installed in just 90 minutes. The system features a 7,500-liter tank, refillable on the ground in less than 10 minutes, and a spray nozzle that deploys from the fuselage.
The aircraft’s agility, speed, and STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) performance allow it to operate close to firefighting zones, including in remote areas inaccessible to other aircraft. Its pressurized jet of fire-retardant liquid, adjustable drop range, and suitability for low-altitude and adverse weather missions make it highly effective. Beyond firefighting, the C-27J Fire Fighter can also contribute to fire prevention and disaster response efforts, delivering a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
