France to buy C-130?!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Age: 70
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
France to buy C-130?!!
PARIS — France has set aside an extra €1.5 billion (US $1.7 billion) to acquire additional equipment, including the C-130 Hercules......
France Boosts Arms Spending, Eyes C-130 Buy
Can this be true? France is deeply invested in the A400 which is billed as the tactical airlifter of the 21st century, but they want to buy a 1950s vintage tactical airlifter? What am I missing?
France Boosts Arms Spending, Eyes C-130 Buy
Can this be true? France is deeply invested in the A400 which is billed as the tactical airlifter of the 21st century, but they want to buy a 1950s vintage tactical airlifter? What am I missing?
Not that much of a mystery. The French already operate the C-130 and their forces (including paras/SF) are involved in fairly intensive ops in Africa so I guess they need a known quantity off the shelf now, I suspect the military feel they can't wait for the A400, though the politicians might have a different idea.
The Mali stuff seems to be largely ignored outside France these days but some of our local news here:
http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2015...ur-guerre.html
They're up to something because a couple of C-130s have been busy trying to take the roof off chez Wiggy day and night in the last few weeks
The Mali stuff seems to be largely ignored outside France these days but some of our local news here:
http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2015...ur-guerre.html
They're up to something because a couple of C-130s have been busy trying to take the roof off chez Wiggy day and night in the last few weeks
Last edited by wiggy; 22nd May 2015 at 19:48.
Ken,
Maybe they view the A400 as a Strat asset and the -130 as Tactical? Having heard a number of briefs about the Mali campaign C130 or CH47 would have come in handy.
Maybe they view the A400 as a Strat asset and the -130 as Tactical? Having heard a number of briefs about the Mali campaign C130 or CH47 would have come in handy.
Having heard a number of briefs about the Mali campaign C130 or CH47 would have come in handy.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: In the Ether
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was the A400M that would have been useful - ferrying the supplies directly from France to the point of need, rather than having to fly them into Bamako on C-17s before cross-decking
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wouldn't be too surprised if the UK also bought C130 in the next few years
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: California
Age: 53
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sold not retired I believe.
UK will have the same helicopter refueling issue as France.
C130 seems the most likely choice for that role if a400m can not actually do that role as was originally planned.
UK will have the same helicopter refueling issue as France.
C130 seems the most likely choice for that role if a400m can not actually do that role as was originally planned.
KenV,
It was reported here in France in early April. The reason given then was purely the helo air-refuelling issue,
More recent reports also cite the A400 programme delays coupled with the C-130 workload in Africa. The workload issue issue may be the Armée de l'Air using a bit of additional leverage to secure the buy. M Hollande does seem set on a sizeable increase in spending.
Translation of the article:
"This is the direct result of setbacks in the A400M program, which will not have a helicopter air refuelling capability. The Delegate General for Armaments, Laurent Collet-Billon, revealed during a presentation of results from the DGA, saying that because of turbulence from the A400M's propellers, helo refuelling is too dangerous.
Consequently, a team from the DGA is presently in the United States to negotiate the purchase of C-130J. This purchase will be done Under Foreign Military Sale, and will seek to draw directly on the Super Hercules USAF, supply chain. The order could be formalized in a few weeks."
It was reported here in France in early April. The reason given then was purely the helo air-refuelling issue,
C'est la conséquence directe des déboires du programme A400M, qui n'aura pas la capacité de ravitaillement en vol pour hélicoptères. Le délégué général pour l'armement Laurent Collet-Billon l'avait révélé durant la présentation des résultats de la DGA, estimant qu'en raison des turbulences des hélices de l'A400M, la procédure est trop dangereuse pour ravitailler les hélicoptères.
En conséquence, une équipe de la DGA est en ce moment aux Etats-Unis pour négocier l'acquisition de C-130J de Lockheed Martin. Cet achat qui se fera en procédure FMS (Foreign Military Sale), visera à prélever directement des Super Hercules sur la chaine de l'USAF. La commande pourrait être officialisée rapidement, d'ici quelques semaines.
En conséquence, une équipe de la DGA est en ce moment aux Etats-Unis pour négocier l'acquisition de C-130J de Lockheed Martin. Cet achat qui se fera en procédure FMS (Foreign Military Sale), visera à prélever directement des Super Hercules sur la chaine de l'USAF. La commande pourrait être officialisée rapidement, d'ici quelques semaines.
Translation of the article:
"This is the direct result of setbacks in the A400M program, which will not have a helicopter air refuelling capability. The Delegate General for Armaments, Laurent Collet-Billon, revealed during a presentation of results from the DGA, saying that because of turbulence from the A400M's propellers, helo refuelling is too dangerous.
Consequently, a team from the DGA is presently in the United States to negotiate the purchase of C-130J. This purchase will be done Under Foreign Military Sale, and will seek to draw directly on the Super Hercules USAF, supply chain. The order could be formalized in a few weeks."
Last edited by Courtney Mil; 24th May 2015 at 09:57.
Originally Posted by Evalu8ter
Maybe they view the A400 as a Strat asset and the -130 as Tactical?
Last edited by Courtney Mil; 24th May 2015 at 10:40.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Wingham NSW Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1950's Vintage
KenV, the C130 may have had it's genesis in the mid 1950's, however there is very little in common, other than the basic shape, in the C130J compared to the C130A. Over 60 years of continuous production has seen a very different aircraft evolve. With time as a F/E on three models (A-E-H) I appreciate the magnitude of those continuing changes. I understand the Super J model is a very capable airlifter and I believe the C130 will continue to play a role for many years to come.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Age: 70
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
KenV, "What am I missing?" Another chance to make an "American is best" comment maybe - no, hold on, that's what you've just done isn't it?
KenV, shallow is the new deep!
Anyway, as I said before, the Herc will always be a hard act to follow. And, more to point, it will fit well with France's existing inventory AND do the job they need.
Anyway, as I said before, the Herc will always be a hard act to follow. And, more to point, it will fit well with France's existing inventory AND do the job they need.
Consequently, a team from the DGA is presently in the United States to negotiate the
I wonder if the problem for the A400M is not the same as that for the C-17 - a reluctance on the part of the command to commit a $250 million (or Euro) asset to short/rough field operations in the middle of nowhere. The risk of loss or severe damage on a 'local' rice haul, where recovery is risky, becomes very problematical.