C-130 News: South Africa and the US talking about replacement C-130s

[casey]

Acquisition of transport aircraft to replace the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) ageing C-130BZs has, by at least one account, been underway for close on a year.

Diplomatic sources have indicated South Africa, as a country, requested information on pricing and availability of C-130s last May. This information was delivered during the Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) exhibition at AFB Waterkloof in September.

While the number or model of aircraft is not mentioned, it is believed the SAAF is keen on acquiring the J model which Lockheed Martin has been actively marketing to the airborne arm of the SA National Defense Force (SANDF) for some time now.

The source told defenceWeb that “a possible bargain price”, remembering the basic list price of a new C-130J is around the US$60 million mark, revolves around the SAAF formalizing its request and a timeline.

“This would then be merged with US Air Force (USAF) procurement and South Africa would be permitted to acquire the aircraft at the US rate, likely substantially lower than the previous offer.

“The earliest estimated possible delivery if the offer was responded to is estimated to be 2020. This, however, could move back or forward with negotiations but there are no guarantees and each day a decision is delayed it becomes more difficult,” the source said.

South Africa last year marked the 50th anniversary in service of its C-130BZ aircraft. The event coincided with the 70th anniversary of 28 Squadron, the SAAF’s only dedicated medium lift transport unit.

Two years prior to anniversary, Defense and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula expressed unhappiness at “her people” having to fly in 60 year old aircraft. She was referring to the C-47TPs operated by 35 Squadron after one of these aircraft crashed in the Drakensberg killing all aboard.

As far as can be ascertained she has never made any statement about the backbone of the SAAF transport fleet or its age.

The SAAF is a recipient of American assistance in terms of its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme which has seen discussions, nothing in writing the defenceWeb source stressed, on continuation of current support.

The support that comes the air force’s way is estimated to be valued at a maximum of US$950 000 a year. This includes simulator training and “some parts”.

Asked about strategic airlift and the possibility of USAF providing C-17s for future peacekeeping operations at no charge, the US Embassy said nothing had been formalised and, to date, it had only been circulated internally as a concept.

“This happened during the Defence Review process. The South Africans only hinted at this type of support request but have not vocalised or formally developed it.

“What has been offered is an opportunity for open dialogue and assistance with planning, choosing the right fleet, our office’s (the Office of Defence Co-operation at the US Embassy) ability and willingness to support administrative sustainment of that fleet and continuation of possible FMF support,” the Embassy said.
 

View source article: http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38812:south-africa-and-the-us-talking-about-replacement-c-130s&catid=111:sa-defence&Itemid=242

 

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