In the middle of the election period, the serious issue of acquiring modern or modernized transport aircraft for the Greek Air Force came into motion.
According to journalist Marino Gasiami, the US will donate two C-130s to the Greek Air Force, which will strengthen its potential (but not solve the problem completely).
Other Greek reports indicate that two more C-130s will be purchased from the US.
Our country's interest since November concerns six aircraft, five C-130J-30s and one C-130J, which was accelerated immediately after the aforementioned failure, while we talked about the United Kingdom wanting to retire a number of aircraft of this type type, creating associations for their eventual acquisition by Greece.
The C-130J Super Hercules is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. Although outwardly similar to the classic Hercules, the C-130J is a completely different aircraft.
Differences include new Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100 turboprop engines with six-wing propellers, digital electronics, reduced crew requirements (only 2 pilots without flight engineer and navigator), increased reliability and 27% reduced operating costs.
The C-130J is available in the standard or the extended C-130J-30 version. Lockheed received the first order for the new model from the Royal Air Force, which ordered 25 aircraft. First deliveries began in 1999 as Hercules C.Mk 4 (C-130J-30) and Hercules C.Mk 5 (C-130J).
Finally, the availability of the existing C-130 and C-27J Spartan, can be counted on the fingers of one hand, a fact that needs immediate restoration and indeed with the nature of the urgent purchase, since the importance of having a strong fleet of transport aircraft for our defense and especially in the Aegean it is extremely important.
The importance of the C-130J in the Aegean
We understand that with the purchase of 6 C-130J aircraft, our country will gain the additional capability to carry in one route 552 troops or 384 paratroopers or 36 pallets or 444 wounded, or 12-18 Humvees or 6 TOMAs (with the turret removed) or 6 M113 TOMBS.
This is a huge force multiplier for the defense of our islands in the event of military operations with Turkey.
What about the F-35s and the Greek Air Force
“I think it will be the only country in the region that will have F-35s. They are essential for military exercises. If it doesn't have F-35 by 2030, it will be very difficult to participate in specific NATO exercises" George Tsounis.
Senator Robert Menendez, stated at the Delphi Economic Forum, that the Greek request for the purchase of 5th generation F-35 fighters will be approved.
We are talking about an imminent purchase of aircraft, which are critical for the needs of the Greek armed forces, which precisely because of the energy plans in the Eastern Mediterranean, have become much larger and more important.
