France and Germany will operate binational C-130J squadron
French C-130J Super Hercules. (Photo: French MoD)
France and Germany have been increasing their cooperation in the defence area and will operate a fleet of C-130J Super Hercules in a binational squadron.
The ministers of defence of the two countries signed an agreement on 30 August to create a new facility and a training centre at Évreux Air Base, Northern France.
IOC for the squadron is expected later in 2021 and FOC is planned for 2024.
In a press release, the French MoD stressed that this collaborative effort will strengthen interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries and will allow French and German soldiers to work in mixed teams, regardless of their nationality.
‘This is a level of integration rarely achieved in the field of military aviation. The implementation of this initiative is a major step in Franco-German military cooperation,’ the press release pointed out.
Apart from carrying out purely national missions, the new squadron also enable mixed French and German crews to operate the C-130J.
The Super Hercules is the latest model of the C-130 four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft and performs airlift missions.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, France purchased two C-130J-30 and two KC-130J aircraft in February 2016 for $520 million, including sustainment.
Germany ordered three C-130J-30s in August 2018 as part of a wider $959 million deal including three KC-130Js and three years of contractor logistical support.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
How do we detect and defeat enemy drones?
Learn about the portfolio of sensors and effectors for the complete counter-UAS mission at Raytheon, an RTX business.
-
BAE Systems lauds counter-UAS drone progression with live fire trials
The US-based tests successfully demonstrated the first live trial of a precision guided missile from a modified TRV-150 drone which destroyed both aerial and ground targets.
-
India readies private sector push as AMCA moves towards 2028 prototype
India’s stealth fighter ambitions gain fresh momentum as HAL opens the door to private sector involvement in AMCA Mk1A structural assembly, with strategic support growing for next-gen propulsion and sensor technologies.
-
BAE Systems reveals new GCAP demonstrator design with plans to fly by 2027
A key part in the trinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), this is the first crewed supersonic aircraft demonstrator to be built and developed in the UK in more than 40 years.
-
Kratos Defense makes European CCA push with Airbus partnership
Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie will be equipped with an Airbus-made mission system to be offered as a ‘European’ collaborative combat aircraft option to the German Air Force.
-
Anduril’s Barracuda-100M completes latest successful test flights
The munitions variant of the Barrauda-100 autonomous air vehicle is being tested for the US Army’s High-Speed Manoeuvrable Missile (HSMM) testbed programme, with further flight tests expected in 2026.