Italian Air Force to deploy MC-27J Praetorian by 2030

The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana: AMI) has confirmed to Janes that it will deploy the Leonardo MC-27J Praetorian special operations aircraft by 2030.

Speaking to Janes on 27 January, a spokesperson of the press office of the AMI said that the development and serialisation of the Praetorian roll-on/roll-off palletised mission system is scheduled to be completed by 2030.

The AMI’s 12 C-27J tactical transport aircraft will continue to perform their passenger/cargo role in addition to new special operations roles (including tactical control; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and communication, command, and control). As a result the service will not procure additional C-27J tactical transport aircraft, the spokesperson said.

In early December 2021, the Italian Defence Staff pointed out during a parliamentary session of its defence committee that at least four Praetorian systems will be developed during three phases, between 2021 and 2030.