C-130J-30s for Mexico?

The Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM, Mexican Air Force) seems to be planning to purchase some additional aircraft. The armed forces budget will increase and plans to acquire some transport aircraft have been made. More specifically, the FAM is looking to strengthen its capacity for military air transport. Its ever dwindling fleet of Lockheed C-130 Hercules has reached a low of three operational aircraft, two being former RAF C-130K-30s (3616 and 3617) and one L-100-30 (3611), operated by Escuadrón Aéreo 302 at BAM Santa Lucia. By the end of the current decade the Herks will have reached the end of their technical lives.

Despite rumours and intentions to purchase Lockheed-Martin C-130J-30 Hercules as far back as 2012, and the FAM’s earlier wish to acquire two Airbus A400M, quotations received from both Airbus, Embraer (offering the KC-390) and Lockheed-Martin now seems to lead to a purchase of two C-130J-30s to replace the FAM’s current Hercules-fleet.

The air transport squadrons have an important task in response to natural disasters and the C-130J-30s would be suitable for this role, with its ability to haul loads of aid and to land on austere runways.

An order has not yet been placed though, but likely a notification will be sent to the US Congress again for a possible Foreign Military Sale of two C-130J-30s for Mexico. To be continued….

Photo: FAM C-130E (just illustrative), Wim Sonneveld