Janes reported on 16 October that the Netherlands Defence Minister has told parliament of plans to replace the KLu's 2 C-130Hs and 2 C130H-30s "as their readiness rates have become so poor as to hinder simultaneous operations" Replacement will be under a project to be implemented between 2021 and 2028 with first delivery of a replacement in 2026. The previous plan was 2030 on.
While no candidate platforms were named, the MoD noted that its requirements include the ability to operate in and out of austere locations, a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, and a medical evacuation (medevac) configuration that includes in-flight patient care, the ability to transport a minimum of 60 fully equipped paratroopers, a range of no less than 2,000 n miles, and fitted with self-protection and ‘network-centric’ equipment.
Any thoughts on a likely replacement? Is the C-130J too old a design now? So potentially A400M, Embraer C-390 or Kawasaki C-2? Are there any RAF surplus C-130Js left as a potential interim solution?
The proposed C-X project for C-130/C-17 replacement seems to have gone very quiet and clearly won't be available in the timeframe.