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The RAF operates 19 Hercules C-130K aircraft, which entered service in 1967, and 24 Hercules C-130J aircraft, which entered service in 1999.

SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon has called on the Ministry of Defence to buy more transport aircraft or reduce demand on its shrinking fleet, as a new report finds that operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are wearing out the RAF's Hercules transport planes. Mr Bacon said: “The RAF’s tactical airlift capability faces a ‘perfect storm’ of problems over the next few years”.

“The ageing C-130Ks need to be retired and the newer C-130Js are also being worn out by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. To make matters worse, not a single A400M – the eventual replacement – has been completed yet. These factors will mean fewer aircraft will be available. This will mean less training, which may erode aircrews’ skills”.

“The MoD can only address this problem if it buys more aircraft or reduces demand. If the C-130Ks are kept flying alongside the ancient Nimrods, Tristars and VC10s, the RAF risks becoming a flying museum, not a modern air force”.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the National Audit Office (NAO) published its report on the tactical airlift capability provided by the Royal Air Force’s C-130 Hercules fleet today (Friday 27 June 2008). The RAF operates 19 C-130K aircraft, which entered service in 1967, and 24 C-130J aircraft, which entered service in 1999. The C-130Ks are due to be retired by 2012. However, the report finds that the service life of the C‑130Js is being reduced by the intensity of current operational flying and that their wings may need replacing as early as 2012.

If availability of Hercules aircraft is reduced, the report finds that opportunities for training will be limited, potentially eroding aircrew skills and restricting their ability to operate the Hercules. Given the existing pressure on spending, the NAO finds that the MoD will not be able to maintain current levels of tactical airlift unless it finds additional funding for extra aircraft from other budgets, or reduces demand.

According to the Airbus Military website, the first production model of the A400M only had its propellers fitted earlier this month. The MoD expects the aircraft to replace the C-130Ks by 2012.

The RAF’s Nimrod patrol aircraft originally entered service in 1969 and the VC-10 transport aircraft entered service in 1962. In the 1980s, the RAF acquired nine Tristar airliners that had been pre-owned by British Airways and Pan-Am.

27 June 2008
 

See also:
NAO REPORT: Hercules C-130 Tactical Airlift Capability