C-27J Spartan at the heart of ADF’s commitment to Pacific maritime security
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has renewed its support for surveillance missions in the Pacific under Operation Solania, helping to protect the region’s marine resources and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
The latest iteration, coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), featured the pivotal use of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan, crewed by the No. 35 Squadron, deployed in the Solomon Islands for aerial patrol missions.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft prepares to take-off in Tonga as part of Operation Solania 25-2.
The Italian tactical transport aircraft, built by Leonardo and operated by the RAAF, has demonstrated its versatility as a maritime surveillance platform. During its Pacific missions, the C-27J covered over 22,400 kilometers within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Solomon Islands, identifying 65 vessels of interest and capturing footage of suspicious maritime activities.
The detachment commander and pilot of the aircraft, Squadron Leader James Champness, highlighted that data gathered and transmitted to the FFA provided crucial insights for identifying threats to local marine resources. “No. 35 Squadron continues to ensure a capability that significantly contributes to the safety of the Pacific,” he stated.
Multilateral Cooperation
A C-27J Spartan aircraft at Fua’amotu Domestic Airport in Tonga during Operation Solania 25-2.
This operation is part of the Operation Island Chief, one of four annual multinational missions organized by the FFA, supported by the Australian Department of Defence’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, noted that this year’s ADF activities involved four islands in the Pacific – the **Marshall Islands, Tonga, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands** – a testament to Australia’s ongoing commitment to regional security and resilience.
According to Jones, the contribution of the ADF and C-27J Spartan extends beyond surveillance, directly supporting the **territorial sovereignty** and **sustainable economic development** of regional partners, countering risks associated with transnational crime and the illicit exploitation of natural resources.
The C-27J in Australia
Royal Australian Air Force pilots Flight Lieutenant Katherine Mitchell and Flying Officer Ashlee Staneke in the cockpit of a C-27J Spartan in support of Operation Solania 25-2.
Traditionally employed for tactical transport and logistic support, the **C-27J Spartan** continues to establish itself as a strategic asset for maritime surveillance, owing to its ability to operate on short and unprepared runways, long range, and capacity to integrate mission systems and sensors. Its versatility enables the RAAF to expand operational choices in complex settings like the Pacific, where geographical vastness and limited resources necessitate a vehicle capable of combining mobility and ISR capabilities.
The success of the latest iteration of **Operation Solania** underscores the central role of C-27J Spartan in Australia’s approach to Pacific maritime security.
