The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on 7 June that it may sell the Libyan government two Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 tactical transports for an estimated $588 million. The potential deal would also include 10 Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines, support and test equipment, and other government furnished equipment, such as radios.
The proposed sale, which would be executed under the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales construct, comes at the request of the Libyan government. The country previously operated 11 C-130s under the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, but Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records only one C-130H and one civilian-model L100 as currently being in use with the Libyan air force.
"Libya, which already operates a mix of legacy C-130s, will have little difficulty absorbing these aircraft, which include a three-year training and sustainment package," the DSCA notes.
The country is expected to use the two new C-130Js to move supplies and people within Libya, which is vast and sparsely populated.
"This medium-lift capability should assist with border security, the interdiction of known terrorist elements, and rapid reaction to internal security threats," the DSCA says. "In addition, Libya intends to utilise these aircraft in support of regional peacekeeping and humanitarian operations."
Lockheed officials did not respond to enquiries immediately.
Source: Flight International
