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World Defense & Security News - Bangladesh
 
 
Bangladesh reportedly interested in ex-RAF Hercules C5 airlifters procurement
 
According to the local online newspaper BDMILITARY.com, the Bangladesh Air Force intends to purchase two Royal Air Force C-130J tactical airlifters under a Government-to-Government deal to beef up the country's Air Force airlift capability. However, the details are not known yet.
     
A C-130J Hercules transport aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force flying over the Norwegian countryside
(Credit: Crown Copyright)
     
The two C-130J Super Hercules airplanes would be financed by the FY 2017-2018 defense budget. Once signed, this contract would make Bangladesh the ninth Asian country to operate Lockheed Martin's C-130J aircraft.

The BAF transport capability actually relies on four C-130E Hercules purchased ordered in May 2012 through the US Foreign Military Sales program, and three Let L-410 Turbolet short-range transport aircraft.

According to the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 (SDSR), only 14 of the 24 C-130J Hercules aircraft will remain in service with the RAF, alongside 22 Airbus A400M Atlas and 8 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

The aircraft would be the C-130J C5 variant, which has been modified to include new Allison AE 2100D3 turboprop engines and Dowty Aerospace six-bladed composite propellers. Compared to the previous C-130E/H versions, the J model has 40% more range, a 21% higher maximum speed, and a 41% shorter takeoff distance.