Australia will retire its fleet of 10 Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, replacing them with commercial airframes for Pacific personnel and logistics missions under the 2026 National Defence Strategy. The decision, announced April 16, 2026, redirects AU$5 billion from legacy programs to new capabilities, prioritizing lower operating costs and civilian infrastructure compatibility.
The Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 35 Squadron at RAAF Amberley operates the Spartans, introduced just over a decade ago to replace the Caribou for intra-theatre airlift. No firm retirement date is set, but the shift targets routine tasks like palletized freight and troop movements across the Pacific, freeing tactical airlift roles for an expanded C-130J Hercules fleet growing from 12 to 20 aircraft, with deliveries starting 2028.
This move supports the Pacific Air Program by maintaining regional partner engagements while cutting high-maintenance military platforms. Commercial replacements offer operational flexibility in austere Pacific airstrips, reducing lifecycle expenses amid budget reprioritization for strategic assets.