Philippines getting closer to ordering 5 new C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft

 

A C-130J-30 Super Hercules of the US Air Force. Photo c/o Scramble Magazine  / Jos Leendertse.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to place an order of five new C-130J Super Hercules heavy tactical transport aircraft from American aviation company Lockheed Martin by 2022.

This is after the country's House of Representatives have approved the funding worth PHP5.5 billion (US$ 110 million) for the initial payment needed to order the aircraft as part of the Philippines' defense budget under Fiscal Year 2022.

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the PAF intends to order the C-130J-30 stretched Super Hercules, which is 15 feet longer and can accommodate two more standard cargo pallets or increased space capacity.

While the proposal has passed Legislative screening and will still need to be approved at the Executive level, it is expected that the funding will be kept intact for the PAF.

The PAF has requested for the acquisition of new Super Hercules transport aircraft in 2020 to modernize and expand its transport and logistics support aircraft fleet, but funding has not been made available due to defense acquisition funding shifted to COVID-19 response by the Philippine Government.

It suffered a big loss after a deadly crash involving an older C-130H Hercules aircraft last 04 July 2021, destroying the aircraft and resulted to the death of more than 50 pilots, crew members and passengers,  mostly newly-recruited and trained troops from the Philippine Army.

The PAF currently has 1 C-130H and 2 C-130T Hercules transport aircraft in its fleet, although one more refurbished C-130H acquired by the Philippine Government from the US is expected to join the fleet before the end of 2021.

The PAF is also believed to be receiving more refurbished C-130 Hercules aircraft in 2022-2023, as part of US Military Assistance to the country.

Aside from the expected acquisition of new C-130J Super Hercules, the PAF is in the process of receiving 3 new C-295W medium tactical transport aircraft from Airbus Defence, with the first aircraft already spotted undergoing flight tests in Airbus-CASA's facility in Spain.




[1] Aviacionline
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Scramble Magazine