The Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) C-130 Hercules is one of the most famous aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and has been in its inventory for more than 30 years. But with only three (3) operational units in the PAF's service, specifically 2 C-130H model and a single C-130B model, the PAF's transport capability is severely limited to the availability and capacity of these aircraft. The absence of a large and capable fleet of smaller transport aircraft to support the C-130 makes it more difficult for the PAF as the other transport aircraft types of the PAF, the Fokker F-27 and the N-22B Nomad, only have a handful of operational units left for use as well.
The PAF received more than a dozen C-130s, composed of military "B" and "H" models as well as civilian L-100-20 and stretched L-100-30. At least 2 fatally crashed and majority of the fleet have been written-off due to poor maintenance and other reasons by the PAF.
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| A PAF C-130H Hercules. The PAF currently only has 3 operational C-130s in its arsenal. Photo taken from Airplane-Pictures.net |
But hopefully everything will change starting 2014.
MaxDefense sources indicate that besides plans to purchase new light and medium lift aircraft, additional C-130 Hercules heavy tactical transport planes will also be made available to the PAF, and will be sourced from the PAF's boneyard and from its foremost ally, the United States.
For those who passed by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you may have seen three parked C-130s on the apron. These three aircraft are currently not operational, and are the only units found by PAF and Lockheed Martin specialists as acceptable for re-commissioning after extensive refurbishment and repair.
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| Three C-130s at Mactan-Cebu International Airport apron. These will be refurbished by the PAF. Photo taken from Mr. Jake Nelson @ Pinoy Daily Journal. |
According to MaxDefense sources, these 3 units (2 C-130B and an L-100 civilian version) will undergo in-house refurbishing and repair similar to what was done last year to C-130B tail no. 3633. It will be done by the PAF's 410th Maintenance Wing although the work might be done in Cebu, not in the wing's Clark Air Base facility. Information given to MaxDefense regarding these 3 C-130s is not yet final though, any may change depending on the situation in the next few months.
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| C-130B tail no. 3633 with PAF 410th Maintenance Wing team after completion of in-house refurbishing work. Photo from Mr. Thomas Diez' Facebook account as shared in Timawa.net |
Another source of additional C-130s will come from Excess Defense Articles (EDA) from the United States. According to MaxDefense sources, the DND and PAF are in talks with the US government to get at least 3 units of "H" models from US EDA stocks. It is also possible for the PAF to acquire additional units besides the 3 being pushed. These 3 aircraft will be refurbished there first before delivery to the PAF, and will be delivered between 2014 and 2015 depending on the deal's immediate approval and the extent of refurbishment.
If all goes according to planned, the PAF will have at least 9 operational C-130s by 2015.
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| Commissioning of C-130B tail no. 3633 after in-house refurbishing by PAF's 410th Maintenance Wing at Clark Air Base. Photo taken from Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office. |
Besides C-130s, MaxDefense also received information that other aircraft types from American EDA stocks are also being eyed for transfer to the Philippine Air Force, either via grant or Foreign Military Sales (FMS), including helicopters, special missions aircraft (for further confirmation) and fighter aircraft.
MaxDefense will update you regarding this topic upon availability of more information.
C-130 are a rugged beast of burden. It can last for at least a generation.
ReplyDeleteI remember how the US servicemen reacted when they heard about how the Philippines lost some C130s prematurely. They understood that we lacked funds for service parts to keep them flying but how can we leave them to rot under the sun?
DeleteIts the workhorse of all Air Forces worldwide. These what Anonymous called "rugged beasts of burden" were the star of the show during the height of the relief efforts to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan..
DeleteFrustrating, isn't it? But hopefully all of that will be changed, not only by procuring new assets, but by properly maintaining them and keeping them in good shape.
Deleteis it real that I'm seeing fighter aircraft on the list? Is Uncle Sam trying to get a chunk of money out of us again? What are they offering? F16's without radars or gunpods? We should learn how US treats the Phil's...just see what they did to the 2 WHECs...so sad
ReplyDeleteYes its real. To be discussed in future blogs here at MaxDefense.
DeleteChunk of money, you say? more like a chump change. And stop being cocky when they indeed offer stripped down f16 as charity. No one is obligated to give us anything.
Deleteim am very xcited for this news.. good to hear.. thanks sir max
ReplyDeleteI had a hunch that if China keeps bullying us the US will eventually maaawa and give us EDA's such as F-16's, P-3's, C-130's and UH-1's. Well, lo and behold, this is not just a dream. Nevertheless, proceed buying other stuff's such as Frigates and MRF's to show that we are committed in defense of our nation and that we are not dependent on freebies.
ReplyDelete"Awa" is not really a good word for the Philippines, since if there would be somebody who pity the AFP's situation, it should be Filipinos themselves first.
DeletePlease STOP this thinking SIR. AWA? you are no better than the PH politikos who keep on reducing budget year after year and yet the majority keeps on voting for these monkies in robes. Don't be a dumb down Pinoy.
DeleteArmed P-3's would be most welcome in securing our EEZ.
DeleteYa should get one C-130 in a tanker/transport role because when you guys get the F/A-50, you can have one with inflight refueling capability. Down the road, have a Multi Role fighter such as the MIG-35 or JAS-39 Gripen.
ReplyDeleteTankers are considered by the PAF in the future, based on the C-130 platform.
DeleteI wonder when will the FA-50s be coming, right now no contract has been signed yet. There seems to be no sense of urgency on the part of gov't. In the meantime, an interim provision should be made should this take longer. How about some A-10s as EDA if possible?
Deletethis is good news. Apparently the US is becoming more generous since they are cutting back in their armed forces and also concerned about the China dominance of the south china sea and navigation. C 130 is one of the best cargo and troop transport plane in the world. very sturdy and durable if well maintained. I would like to see the PAF having 9 of these aircrafts.
ReplyDeleteThey have been generous to the Philippines, all they only want is for the Philippines to be serious in defending its territory and not always just asking for help without making its own initiatives. If the Philippines becomes serious, expect more assistance from the Americans, and probably even the Japanese and Australians as well.
DeleteWith China's cyberespionage hacking U.S systems across the board stealing and undermining Western influence in the Pacific - and now a case officer that's actually working for Chairman Mao who leaked all sensitive info. at the right time.
ReplyDeleteThings are getting interesting........in the Pacific waters especially Hainan.
And with Japan gunning for nuclear weapons technology...
DeleteWhat? Japan going nuclear?
DeleteNot yet, but it might. Who knows what they're doing right now.
Delete#4726 is to undergo SLEP too... PAF may only have 2 in 2014 if the above schedules were not met.
ReplyDeletethey need to revive the SRDP and develop the local defense industries from ship building, to weapons, helicopters and missiles.
ReplyDeleteso were not really opt for new ones. i hope they can also consider euro fighter typoon trance 1 second hand from italy for at least 5 as immediate MRF needs
ReplyDeletethey should look into the Russian MIGs, or SU31
ReplyDeleteSu-31?
DeleteIs that an aerobatic plane?
DeleteCrap! Just purchase first the FA's and be done with it. This lingering is so stupefying already if not humiliating.
DeleteC 130s are not only good as tankers or cargo planes but we can transform them into gunships then they become real beasts! Let's bring back those c130 alive and ablazing! -jamz
ReplyDeleteThe PAF's lift requirements will require a high number of C-130s, so allocating some to be gunships might not be possible. Tankers is, of course, another thing.
Deletewe should try to get as many assets as we can from the EDA of the US like aircrafts, tanks, missiles, radars, etc. lets maximize what we can get since they are trying to shrink their strength.
ReplyDeleteWe should refurbish some c130s to serve as long range maritime patrol aircraft
ReplyDeleteThe PAF should refurbish its C-130s to do transport duties, since they lack the aircraft numbers. For MPA, it would be best to get a smaller but newer platform and will not be alternatively used as a transport aircraft to achieve longer airframe lifespan.
DeleteI hope that the PCG/PN would get an MPA version of the EADS CASA C-295. It could also be converted for ASW use if needed....see http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?179221-Airbus-demonstrates-torpedo-launch-with-C-295. The C-295 Transport versions would also be a good selection for the AFPs Medium Lift capabilities.
Deletegetting more C130's from the boneyard and refurb on our backyard is a laudible thing that i hope will continue by the PAF. remember that we lost more hercs not by accidents but by being unserviceable by local techs. Thus,our local refurb guys ought to be well supported to keep our local resources high on refurbs and maintenance.
ReplyDeletewhats more laudible even is the additional hercs from EDA,which is more than welcome. whats more are the report on fighters.based on the EDA releases by similar nations, F16 block30 upgradede to block 50/52, P3 Orions that are to be decommed, more AH1-F Cobras and UH1 he;icopters laready on the EDA boneyard. That i think will seriously upgrade the PAF. They may offer scrap charity,but at least we now have the resource to upgrade and maintain this. the US as a matter of fact,see this as a prerequisite. If we have the means to make them fly, by all means theyd give it up
the valuable experience of these technicians will also make them very marketable for jobs overseas in aircraft maintenance in near future when they retire or even locally.
ReplyDeleteHope Uncle Sam would provide some mraps for the army and marines because of the npas use of ieds there are thousands of mraps in Afghanistan being sold as scrap
ReplyDeleteLast time I checked, there appears to be a "plan" for that. Pray for the best.
Deletecheck this out..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBKvlLzGkvU&feature=c4-overview&playnext=1&list=TLVisFgI_-MFI
ReplyDeleteits the SU 35 flight demonstration in Paris air show this year.
It's good to see that the Philippines is trying to make the best out of what it has, BUT, while the C-130 is a fantastic plane, it is a very old build that has horrendous operating costs, specifically fuel costs.
ReplyDeleteImo, the PAF should get a proper mix of highly reliable, new transport aircraft with low operating costs a.s.a.p., such as the CN-235 and the C-295, and only use the Hercs for transporting heavy equipment and or pallet sizes that the others can't handle.
Laurence
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ReplyDelete..hay naku.. meron naman plang c130 na kailangan lng i refurbish eh bkit hangang ngayun eh 3 plng ang c130.. kung dati niu pa ginawa yan eh di sana d nahirapan ang mga sundalo ntin lalo na sa zamboanga ..
ReplyDeleteI remember it took teamship for all duties as an Airman!
ReplyDeleteSo do the right thing, Hit them books and study.Why?
because knowledge prevents accidents!
Good Luck!
I hope Australia is making good military donations to the Philipines, we can afford it and the Philipinos are our friends. We should give them the Tobruk and a squadron of FA18 fighter bombers as well as a dozen patrol craft and a few C130's. We should ignore Indonesia and help only the Philipines.
ReplyDeleteKEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! PAF 410TH Maintenance Wing keep thus C130 Hercules flying.
ReplyDelete