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
-
Anduril and Rheinmetall to bring capabilities to Europe with domestic production “on the table”
Anduril’s partnership with German defence firm Rheinmetall will see the two companies co-develop and deliver a European range of Anduril’s air systems, including Fury and Barracuda, and work on solid rocket motors.
-
GCAP industry partners officially launch joint company Edgewing
The joint venture company, alongside developing the next-generation combat aircraft, will also remain the design authority for the platform.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Parrot’s new microdrone ANAFI UKR breaks cover
While the Paris Air Show marked the first time the ANAFI UKR has been publicly shown, the ISR drone has been in use with various armed forces for the last eight months, Parrot told Shephard.
-
US fires approximately 75 precision-guided weapons against Iran’s nuclear facilities
In the operation Midnight Hammer, the Pentagon deployed 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators and more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390
Just this week Portugal signed for a sixth C-390 with the add-on of an option for 10 for other NATO countries. In April, Sweden signed for four and in December last year Slovakia agreed to buy three, while in the same month an undisclosed country agreed to buy two.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India
Turgis Gaillard and Bharat Forge have signed an MoU to offer the Aarok, produced in India, to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The UAV could satisfy the country’s desire for an indigenous MALE UAV, offering an alternative to the TAPAS BH-201 that has had a rocky development.