Tunisia is the only north African state to opt for new-generation Hercules the remainder have been happy to keep their old C-130Bs, C-130Es, C-130Hs and L100s airworthy, even if Lockheed Martin does not issue service bulletins for the likes of the C-130B/Es, meaning air forces have to check them regularly themselves and organise the repairs.įatigue with centre wing boxes, where the wings join the fuselage, are the main issues on the older aircraft and sourcing these can be an issue. The Hercules might be the best-selling tactical airlifter in the world but, in Africa, the acquisition cost is usually king. But Lockheed Martin’s rule over the tactical transport market has slipped a bit in recent years because most countries cannot afford to stump up the alleged $150 million for a new C-130J. Spare parts are easily accessible, which is a necessity when an aircraft has an average age of 40. Today, the bulk of them are still operating, although several have gone through cockpit upgrades with Saudi’s Alsalam Aerospace Industries or the UAE’s Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC). More than 250 have been delivered to the region since then. The Hercules was first seen in the Middle East in 1962, when the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF), under the Shah of Iran, took the first C-130B. Landing in hot-and-high conditions, as well as austere airfields, has only added to the Hercules’ popularity, when needing a transport aircraft to visit military outposts and civilian communities when needed. ![]() The tactical workhorse has proved hugely popular flying around many of the big countries like Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. There are around 240 tactical airlifters currently operating in the Middle East and north Africa with the most dominant being the C-130 Hercules.Īround 170 different examples of the aircraft are operating with every nation now, after Bahrain became the most recent user in November 2018.
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