The Indonesian Air Force (IAF) is planning to replace its existing Hercules aircraft with new transport aircraft, IAF chief of staff air marshal Agus Supriatna has said.
The decision comes after a new study was conducted to analyse the replacement of the aircraft.
Supriatna was quoted by Antara News saying: "We have conducted a study to replace C-130 Hercules aircraft with the new ones either from France, the United States, or Russia, but the replacement depends on the government.
"Our 2015-2019 strategic plan is to replace the F5 jet fighters and to procure heavy transport aircraft, heavy transport helicopters and large transport helicopters."
However, he also added the result of the study has been sent to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, which will take a decision on the replacement programme after evaluation of the result.
MoD Public Communication head brigadier general Jundan Eko Bintoro said the country is planning to replace the existing aircraft with Airbus A400M or Boeing C-17.
Bintoro was quoted saying: "The Airbus A400M and Boeing C-17 Globemaster are larger and newer, and the procurement is expected to be made during the period between 2016 and 2018."
The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130 has been in continuous production since 1954 and more than 2,300 Hercules were built for 67 countries.
Image: A US Air Force’s C-130 Hercules aircraft. Photo: courtesy of USAF / Tech Sgt Brian E Christiansen.
