New Delhi: A former C-130H Hercules of the Belgian Air Force flew in the colors of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for the first time on July 25, 2022, informed of key.aero magazine.
The aircraft, numbered CH-12, took off in the colors of the PAF from Melsbroek Air Base in Belgium, located at Brussels Airport. This is the first of seven refurbished C-130Hs to be delivered to PAF.
The aircraft now carries a new registration according to its new PAF serial number. The flight, on 25 July, was reportedly its first overhaul.
The C-130H is a tactical transport aircraft. Belgium decommissioned Its C-130 in December 2021 and Took place them with the Airbus A400M.
After the C-130H was discontinued, Belgium sold the remaining seven to a consortium led by Sabena Aerospace and Blue Aerospace, which later sold them to the PAF.
Sabena Aerospace has been a service center for Hercules since 1977, and was tasked with repair and refurbishment of the aircraft. Blue Aerospace was responsible for marketing and managing the deal to PAF.
This distinctive aircraft, the CH-12, was delivered to the Belgian Air Force on April 2, 1973, and last flew for Belgium on December 20, 2021. key.aero Article.
The 6 remaining C-130H Hercules are expected to fly in the PAF colors CH-01 (4455), CH-04 (4467), CH-05 (4470), CH-07 (4476), CH-09 (4479), and CH-11(4482).
However, Ayesha Siddiqa, a renowned Pakistani military expert, is the author of Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy, Questioned “how much was paid” for such a deal.
Meanwhile, PAF buys 7 refurbished C-130Hs which are probably the first delivered around the time of the FIA. Maybe a deal done but it would still be worth knowing how much was paid pic.twitter.com/fRKRugaDVJ
— Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) 21 August 2022
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C-130H – one aircraft, multiple roles
The C-130H Hercules is a four-engine, turboprop, military transport aircraft designed and manufactured by the American defense conglomerate Lockheed Martin.
Hercules has been in service above Five Decades with the US Air Force — Its first flew in 1954.
according For the US Air Force, “the C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt tracks and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment in hostile areas. The C-130 operates throughout the US Air Force. ,
Capable with after-loading ramps and doors, the Hercules can transport a wide variety of cargo including helicopters, six-wheeled armored vehicles, standard cargo and personnel. It can also airdrop loads of up to 42,000 pounds and take off rough and dirt strips.
“The flexible design of the Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing one aircraft to perform the roles of many,” says the US Air Force.
(Edited by Jinnia Ray Chowdhury)
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