The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has inked a deal to purchase an unspecified number of C-130J Mk5 transport aircraft from the United Kingdom.
“Under a government-to-government agreement, the handing over ceremony of title transfer of newly procured C-130J Mk5 military transport aircraft from UK to Bangladesh Air Force was held in UK on July 12 in presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat”, a Bangladesh MoD statement said on Tuesday.
The handing over document was signed by BAF Air Commodore M Habib Ahsan Khan, and Mr Williamson, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom. As per contract, these aircraft will be delivered to Bangladesh in May 2019. The number of aircraft purchased was not specified nor its price.
The Hercules C130J Mk 5 has a fuselage length of 29.77m. Inflight-refuelling probes are installed as standard, while the type’s improved range is 2,850nm (5,078km).
The UK MoD has been wanting to sell up to 10 of the C130J Mk 5 transporters in preparation of the gradual induction of the A400M aircraft which have a higher payload carrying capacity.
Earlier, France was considering purchasing the aircraft for the use of its troops in North Africa. However, the deal fell through as the asking price of US$650 million was considered high by Paris.
