Pakistan To Upgrade C-130 Fleet, US DSCA Tells Congress

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for a C-130 Fleet Upgrade Program for an estimated cost of $100 million.

The upgrade will allow continued operation of the Pakistan’s Air Force C-130 fleet (five C-130B and eleven C-130E models) for counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism flights; regional humanitarian operations; troop transport; and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions within Pakistan and in the region, according to the statement.

 The fleet is facing airworthiness and obsolescence issues, and will require upgrades and repairs for continued operation and effectiveness.  The proposed modernization of the C-130 fleet should ensure continued viability for an additional 10-15 years, it added.