A welcome addition to Pakistan’s strategic transportation capabilities… many of our existing C-130s are over 30 years old and I’m surprised they are still airworthy. This should make for safer flying, as well as help to compensate for a number of C-130s that have been lost in accidents in recent years.
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - The United States finalised the long-awaited sale of six C-130 Hercules planes to Pakistan, the largest military sale to its key war-on-terror ally since lifting sanctions almost two years ago.
US envoy to Pakistan Nancy Powell announced the 75 million-dollar sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft in a meeting with Pakistani air force chief Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, the US embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The purchase (by Pakistan) not only improves the defense capability of Pakistan, it also enhances its ability to conduct humanitarian relief missions throughout the region,” the statement on its website said.
The sale, funded by a US government grant, increases Pakistan’s fleet of military transport planes to 16, a Pakistani air force spokesman said, noting negotiations for the sale had been underway for several months.
“It is an old deal which has been finalised for which negotiations were being held between Pakistan and the United States during the past months,” he told AFP.
The C-130 are useful planes but I do hope they don't ever get used.
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You kidding? If there is an inch of empty space, it is instantly filled with family members, mangoes, pomegranates or other "Saughats" requested by the Base Commander, OC flying, OC Admin and so on down the pecking order :D
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*Originally posted by ak47: *
Not really good idea to rely on American planes.
They will not sell you the parts when you need them, especially when they think your not sucking up to them enough!
Best to get from a reliable source i.e design and build your own or china is good option also.
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Build our own C130s? I guess we have to wait for our esteemed khalifah, with his team of expert aeronautical engineers to build one. Right now we arent even close to building C130s munney, so its a good option to buy them. Furthermore, in case you didnt know, the purchase ensures that we will be given parts and service exclusively, and its a minor thing, the Government would never object to that.
So many countries fly C-130s around the world that parts arent a huge problem with these planes, especially since there arent many ultra-high tech items in this plane. The engine is a very common one used by both military and civilian planes around the world. All in all buying more C-130s is a very low risk purchase. The only viable alternative available to the PAF would be the Ukrainian Antonov AN-70, which hasnt finished development yet and so would undoubtably cost more than the C-130.
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*Originally posted by TomSawyer: *
^ well, atleast they gave some money back (the F16 deposits I think).
The C-130 are useful planes but I do hope they don't ever get used.
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well they get used in peace time too. aid supplies etc etc.
the unique C-130 usage seen only in Pakistan. When CHief of Army Staff Gen Aslam baig's daughter or son wedding I dont remember. whole Mehndi with cars flown from isb to quetta and back ;)
my source is my friend in isb! so dont ask for link.
