Alenia to refurbish G.222s for Afghanistan

ROME, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has contracted Alenia Aeronautica to refurbish 18 G.222 tactical transport aircraft for delivery to Afghanistan's National Army Air Corps.

Italian company Alenia Aeronautica says its North American operations will perform the refurbishment work as part of a $287 million deal. Alenia Aeronautica is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica.

The refurbishment of the 18 G.222 aircraft, previously operated by the Italian air force until 2005, is part of an effort by the Air Force's Combined Air Power Transition Force based in Kabul to stand up the fledgling Afghan National Army Air Corps.

"It is a great honor for Finmeccanica to be entrusted with this responsibility, and we are proud to support the U.S. Air Force in these critical efforts," Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Finmeccanica chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

"This announcement, combined with our growing investments in the U.S.A., further demonstrates the Group's commitment to the U.S. market."

The refurbishment program is expected to start delivering the aircraft in 2009.