Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet.
Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defence articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
The prime contractor for the project will be determined through a competitive bid, the DSCA says.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the USA by enabling the Bangladesh air force to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations," the DSCA says.
Bangladesh's air force currently operates four C-130B transports, which Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records as having entered use between 1960 and 1962.
Source: Flight International
