C-130 Update update
Date: 23 May 2000
The multi-billion rand refurbishing of the SA Air Force's C130 fleet is reportedly progressing well.
The Afrikaans daily, Beeld, reports the programme is progressing well despite having been delayed for some months. The upgrade of the 12-strong fleet is being carried out jointly by the UK-based Marshall's and Kempton Park-based Denel Aviation. The first three aircraft should already have been delivered to the SAAF, but delays have moved delivery to January or February next year. The rest of the upgrades will be carried out with Marshall's assistance at Denel Aviation. The latter already has expertise in converting passenger airliners into cargo carriers. The upgrade of the fourth C130, at Denel Aviation kicked off in late July. The upgrades are expected to extend the life-time of the South African fleet by about twenty years. The upgrade includes installing a glass cockpit and new avionics. The SAAF says the upgrade of the entire fleet will cost it "the price of a single new aircraft".
Defence Systems Daily
