At the "Paris Air Show" (June 16-22) Leonardo and Bombardier Defense announced they’re entering into a collaboration phase to explore new opportunities in the Maritime MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) capability market. The parties signed a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to evaluate the possibility to respond to the growing demand for this wide range of airborne capabilities by integrating selected Leonardo systems into the Bombardier Global 6500 twin-engine jet platform. This would allow the parties to transform the aircraft into a next-generation Maritime MMA system targeting stringent market requirements.

The global presence of the Leonardo C-27J multi-mission tactical transport aircraft, with more than 270,000 flight hours worldwide, is set to grow with a new addition to the number of leading operators that have chosen and are using the aircraft to meet their demanding requirements. Leonardo will supply two C-27J multi-mission and firefighter aircraft to Aramco for cargo transport, firefighting, oil spill response, and medical evacuation operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mukamalah Aviation Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco, operating under the brand name “Aloula Aviation", will operate the C-27Js and also act as service center for the type. Deliveries are expected starting from 2027. 

Aloula Aviation is the 20th C-27J operator, and Leonardo records 95 aircraft ordered.

The longstanding partnership between Leonardo and Aramco in the helicopter segment supporting the energy industry and rescue duties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will then be expanded to the fixed wing business. This is expected to further strengthen the role of the C-27J in the Middle East and Africa.

What makes the C-27J unique is the second-generation MAFFS II (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), a "roll-on/roll off" transportable module that can be loaded and unloaded as required in only 90 minutes. The module consists of a 7,500-liter tank that can be refilled on the ground with water and retardant liquid in under 10 minutes. It also has a spray nozzle emerging through the left hatch of the fuselage.

The C-27J Fire Fighter is able to operate effectively even at low altitudes and in unfavorable weather conditions. With a maximum cruising speed of 325 knots (602 Km/h) and equipped with cutting-edge digital avionics, it is able to perform Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) on short or semi-prepared runways near the sites of intervention; it can quickly reach and operate optimally where and when other firefighting vehicles travelling by air or land cannot operate, including isolated locations and places where water is scarce or the sea is too rough for "scooper" type aircraft. At an average speed of 130 knots (250 Km/h), a pressurized jet of water mixed with fire-retardant liquid can cover a large amount of ground with each drop. Its range can be adjusted, allowing the crew to adapt the profile of the mission to the specific conditions of each fire and the orography of the terrain. Moreover, the proposed solution is not limited to fighting fires – it is also able to be used in their prevention.