LONDON – Britain is considering leasing up to five additional Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules to help plug the capability gap left by continuing problems with the European Airbus Military A400M.

The United Kingdom is interested in taking more C-130Js by 2012, which likely means it will need to conclude an agreement this year if the in-service date target is to be met. The Royal Air Force (RAF) earlier ordered 25 C-130Js, with deliveries beginning in 1999. All but a handful of the RAF’s aging C-130Ks are due to be retired by 2012.

Alongside a C-130J lease, the ministry is further considering adding to its six-aircraft fleet of Boeing C-17s to provide additional airlift.

RAF airlift is under strain due to having to sustain the air bridge between Britain and Afghanistan in support of the 8,000 military personnel deployed to combat operations there. Delays in the A400M program are only exacerbating the issue.

Senior British Defense Ministry officials are believed to have met March 4 to examine proposals for the ministry’s next round of funding, known as Planning Round 09. The need for additional airlift may have been one of the considerations addressed during the meeting.

The British debate comes as the French government also is looking at gapfiller options to avoid a tactical airlift shortage resulting from delays with A400M (Aerospace DAILY, March 4).

Photo: Airbus Military