Following the recent delivery by Leonardo of the second C-27J NG tactical transport aircraft, the Slovenian Air Force continues to benefit from the training provided by the Air Force within the framework of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement. The agreement includes a programme of progressive training, from initial to advanced level, dedicated to Slovenian crews destined to operate the C-27J.
The activities began in June 2023 at the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa, within the’International Training Centre (ITC), where is a dynamic flight simulator, capable of realistically reproducing flight dynamics and supporting training in safety.
Following the initial phase, ITC instructors spent a period of approximately four months at the Maribor base, Slovenia, to consolidate crew training directly on-site through flight activities. At the beginning of 2026, the same crews began a further training phase, again alongside instructor personnel from’International Training Centre.
In the early days of January, at the Cerklje ob Krki base — the main operational hub of the Slovenian Air Force — the advanced module of the programme commenced. This phase will enable Slovenian pilots to acquire the necessary qualifications for undertaking complex missions, such as low-level navigation, search and rescue operations, and air-drop activities, in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
The initiative is part of the wider framework of cooperation between the respective Governments and between the Air Force and the Slovenian Air Force. In this context, the contribution of the 46th Air Brigade is confirmed as decisive: a training capability of recognised excellence, expressed both at Pisa Airport and through activities conducted directly on Slovenian territory, which ensures high training standards fully consistent with operational needs. A commitment that, in addition to guaranteeing the effectiveness of the training path, fosters a continuous exchange of experiences and skills, strengthening interoperability and contributing to the development of increasingly modern, integrated capabilities ready to respond to current challenges.
