Alenia’s C-27J Wins Romanian Contract

C-27J Spartan(click to view larger) After a competition that saw the Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J Spartan/ “Baby Herc” face off against EADS-CASA’s C-295M, Alenia Aeronautica announced on Dec 1/06 [PDF] that Romania’s Ministry of Defence has began exclusive final negotiations for 7 light tactical transports, plus support et. al. The planes will also be equipped with a complete (but as-yet unspecified) self-protection system to allow them to carry out missions in high-threat areas. The Romanian contract was expected to be signed by the end of 2006. The contract took much longer, and was interspersed with some drama along the way, but a contract has finally been signed, and planes are being delivered… Polish C-295M(click to view full) In February 2007, the Romanian Defense Ministry stopped negotiations with Alenia Aeronautica, after Romania’s National Authority Controlling the Public Procurement upheld EADS’ complaint that it was the lowest price bidder, “which was the parameter defined by the tender procedure as the criteria for decision.” It did not dispute the ministry’s technical parameters and evaluations, however, which had given the C-27J an edge. Alenia appealed the NCSC decision, and the matter was referred to a Romanian court. Defense News reported that even if the appeal […]