The Israeli air force has rejected offers to acquire Lockheed Martin's C-130J tactical transport or Alenia Aeronautica's smaller C-27J Spartan in favour of extending the service life of its current 23 C-130E/Hs by about two decades. Donated by the USA in 1973, Israel's current fleet could now receive replacement centre wing boxes – an area of the C-130 airframe that has come under scrutiny by the US armed forces recently.
"We are ready to invest $10-15 million in the upgrade of each aircraft and [to start a] life-extension programme," says Brig Gen Zeev Snir, head of the air force's materiel directorate. "The aim of the programme is to allow the aircraft to fly for the next 20 years."
Lockheed had been promoting the C-130J's reduced life-cycle costs to Israel, but it appears the upgrade decision has halted its campaign. Snir confirms the C-27J was also evaluated, but says: "The decision is not to buy this aircraft."
ARIE/EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
