TSAMTO, February 7. The German Defense Ministry announced a ceremony held on February 1 at Lockheed Martin in Marietta (Georgia), dedicated to the transfer of the first BTA C-130J-30 "Super Hercules" aircraft to the country's Air Force.
Formally, the aircraft was transferred on December 23, 2021 to the US Air Force, which acts as the customer on behalf of the German military department.
As noted, the delivery of the first C-130J will allow the German Air Force to expand its capabilities for the transportation of troops and cargo, which decreased after the decommissioning of the C-160 Transall, which had been in operation for more than 50 years.
As reported by TSAMTO, in May 2018, the US State Department approved the delivery to Germany under the Foreign Military Sales program of three BTA C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft and three KC-130J tanker aircraft, as well as engines, related equipment, simulators and services. The total cost of the sale may amount to $1.4 billion.
In September 2018, the German Parliament approved the allocation of about 970 million euros ($1.14 billion) for the purchase of 6 Hercules family aircraft. Judging by the procurement documentation of the US Defense Ministry, the agreement on the supply of aircraft worth $ 920 million was signed on September 28, 2018. After the delivery of the first C-130J-30 in February 2022, the remaining aircraft will be transferred at intervals of six months. Thus, the delivery of all ordered machines will be completed by 2024.
The German Air Force will use aircraft to transport troops and cargo, refuel in the air, and land as part of a French-German squadron stationed in Evreux (France). Rheinmetall and Thales are also creating a training center there in accordance with a contract signed in March 2021. The unit will receive a total of 5 BTA C-130J-30 aircraft and 5 KC-130J tanker aircraft.
The French Air Force has already received four aircraft (two C-130J-30 and KC-130J) in the period from January 2018 to February 2020. Until recently, they were stationed at the Orleans-Brisi Air Base. As part of the agreement signed on October 18, 2017 by the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of Germany and France, in 2021, the transfer of aircraft acquired by the French Air Force to the 105th air Base in Evreux-Fauville began. Cars ordered by Germany will also arrive at the same base, as they are received.
The squadron will have an unlimited exchange of aircraft, crews and technical personnel, and technical and logistical support will be carried out on the basis of a common pool of spare parts and a single contract for the provision of services.
