11:06 GMT, October 21, 2009 October 21, the third of the three C-27J „Spartan" aircrafts purchased by the Lithuanian Air Force will be introduced, named and christened in a ceremony at the Military Airfield of LAF Šiauliai Aviation Base.

The event will be attended by the Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevi?ien?, Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Brig. Gen. Art?ras Leita, and other representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Armed Forces.

A name will be bestowed on the last of the three aircrafts just like on its predecessors, Gediminas and Algirdas. The new aircraft will be name after Vytautas the Great, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, to celebrate the names of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania as well as to commemorate the Millennium of the Name of Lithuania. The new C-27J „Spartan" will be blessed by the Chaplain of the Lithuanian Air Force Maj. Virginijus Veilentas.

By the agreement signed between the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Italian Company „Alenia Aeronautika S.p.A" in June 2006 three C-27J „Spartan" aircrafts were delivered to Lithuania: the first one arrived in the end of 2006, the second - in the beginning of December of last year, and the third aircraft was delivered to Šiauliai Military Airfield last week.

Total value of the contract amounts to 75m Euros. The sum also includes spare parts, logistic equipment, installations for VIP cabin, and training for pilots and maintenance staff.

„Spartan" aircrafts are used to airlift and airdrop soldiers, VIP, and cargo, to conduct medical evacuation, and for other purposes. The aircraft can takeoff from a surface of less than 500 metres, and one refuelling in a transitional airport for flight to Afghanistan where Lithuania is operating a PRT.


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