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A RAAF C-27J Spartan has conducted surveillance operations in Fiji to spot illegal fishing.
As part of the ADF’s Operation Solania, the aircraft flew sorties out of Suva and monitored the country’s exclusive economic zone.
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“Operation Solania allows us to work with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), our Pacific partners, and members of the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Australia, the United States, New Zealand and France) to ensure the economic security and prosperity of the Pacific,” Commander Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said.
“This year, the Air Force has supported Operation Solania with a combination of C-27J Spartan and KA350 King Air aircraft, operating out of Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and now Fiji.
“This is in addition to support from the Navy, where vessels support FFA’s Operation 365 during frequent deployments and transits in the south-west Pacific.
“We are at our best when we work together as a Pacific family, to face joint challenges together.”
The Spartan contributed to Fiji’s own Operation Kuru Kuru, while the ADF also provided additional personnel to supplement the ADF contingent, which was permanently deployed to the FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in the Solomon Islands.
Australia has 10 Spartans operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, which now focuses on peacetime operations such as search and rescue and aeromedical operations.
First delivered in 2015 under AIR 8000 Phase 2, the C-27J Spartan replaced the RAAF’s fleet of Caribous.
The 30,500-kilogram light tactical aircraft is designed to fit between the country’s smaller CH-47F Chinooks and larger C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster IIIs.
In July 2021, the C-27J saw its role redefined to greater encompass humanitarian disaster relief tasks after again failing to receive final operational capability.
Australian Aviation also reported in 2022 that Leonardo won a $70 million contract to replace and upgrade the radio capability of Australia’s Spartan fleet.
