In the search for the most favourable bidder, the project group of the Slovenian Ministry of Defense highlighted the issue of meeting military technical requirements, which was essential to taking the decision to purchase a tactical transport aircraft, and the feasibility of such a purchase from a long-term maintenance point of view. Two types of tactical transport aircraft were included in the final assessment, but after examining the military technical requirements, the C-27J Spartan aircraft of the Italian manufacturer Leonardo proved to be the best option.
The Expert Council for Key Investments has completed the investment process, proposing that the aircraft be procured, if possible, through a government-government mechanism with the Italian Republic. The Logistics Directorate has therefore already started procurement procedures for the aircraft under the government-government system. The procurement process will continue as soon as the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia decides on the Act on the Provision of Funds for Investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces in 2021-2026. Slovenian authorities have a goal of a transparent purchase of key equipment for the Slovenian Army, without intermediaries and by providing a comprehensive service (training, provision of spare parts, maintenance throughout the entire period of use), in the shortest possible time, in accordance with the provided financial resources.
Photo by: Italian MoD
International competition
The global COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of evacuating citizens of the Republic of Slovenia from abroad, as well as the provision of stocks of protective equipment, proved that the Slovenian Armed Forces do not have required airlift capabilities. In result, in the spring of 2020 the government of Slovenia agreed to the plan of filling this gap by procurement of new transport aircraft.
The new tactical transport capability will be intended primarily for (1) providing the movement of SAF forces to the area of operation and from the area of operation back home, (2) ensuring the resilience of SAF forces in performing combat or humanitarian tasks and (3) medical evacuation of SAF forces and evacuation of RS citizens.
The new procurement goal of SAF was presented in a series of strategic documents, such as the White Paper on Defense of the Republic of Slovenia and the Resolution on the general long-term program of development and equipping of the SAF by 2025. A market study was conducted involving manufacturers and users of potential types of aircraft belonging to the category of light (C-295 CASA manufactured by Airbus and C-27J Spartan manufactured by Leonardo) and medium (C-130J-30 Super Hercules manufactured by Lockheed Martin; C-390 Millennium by Embraer; A-400 by Airbus) transport aircraft.
Based on the obtained data, an analysis of the minimum military technical requirements within the framework of air and cargo and survival capabilities and an economic analysis of the investment costs over the life of the aircraft were prepared. The advantages and disadvantages of each version were presented. The size of the aircraft in relation to the cargo capacity shows that the larger the aircraft, the greater the cargo space volume and payload. The same goes for costs – for a larger aircraft, there are higher purchase costs and maintenance and operating costs. It is therefore important to consider the economic viability of the investment.
Photo by: Lithuanian MoD
Meeting operational requirements
Based on the findings of the analysis of the SAF air transport situation, identified requirements and economic justification of the investment and the fact that with the use of new aircraft the country could transport larger masses and dimensions of cargo through the strategic air transport programs, the purchase of a new light transport aircraft was proposed as the best. Two types of tactical transport aircraft were included in the final assessment, but after examining the minimum military technical requirements, the C-27J Spartan proved to be the best.
Photo by: Lithuanian MoD
As the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Italy already operates C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia is currently intensively studying the possibility of purchasing its own C-27J through the government-government procedure. Inter-government sales are a way of selling that allows governments to procure defense equipment, services, and construction from other governments. The country which is the buyer in this case does not do business directly with the manufacturer of defense products or services, but the purchase of goods is made with the country which is the seller in this case, from the stocks of this government or by purchasing the equipment for this purpose.
If the Ministry of Defense succeeds in purchasing the C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft through the Italian government, it will also avoid potential corruption risks, as the purchase will be made directly through the Italian government. As the Italian Republic already has a C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, the future agreement will also relate to logistics, spare parts, lifecycle maintenance and pilot training on the C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft under a contract with the Italian government.
Article previously published on MILMAG 04/2020
