Marshall has delivered the last of five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), marking a key moment in the nation’s long-term investment in sovereign airlift capacity. Representatives from the Bangladesh High Commission in London and the BAF joined the Marshall team at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge yesterday to formally celebrate the handover of the final aircraft. Marshall’s multi-million pound programme to upgrade and enhance the BAF C-130J fleet originated in 2018 and 2019, following the acquisition of the aircraft from the UK Ministry of Defence. The most substantial work packages have included decommissioning the aircraft from their previous service within the UK Royal Air Force’s fleet, while integrating state-of-the-art avionics and installing capability enhancements including passenger transport and survival equipment.
“It has been a privilege to partner with the Bangladesh Air Force over the last six years as they have created a world-leading tactical airlift capability. Fielding these five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with a range of sophisticated upgrades will ensure the BAF’s mission-readiness to support UN peace-keeping and humanitarian missions around the world, and this is something we are proud to have contributed to,” said Marshall Chief Growth Officer Bob Baxter.
“I am delighted to be here to preside over a proud moment for the entire Bangladesh Air Force, as we mark the culmination of a multi-year Investment into our fleets towards realisation of Forces Goal 2030 as envisioned by Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina. The work performed here in Cambridge will directly support us in fulfilling our operational commitments for decades to come, and I would like to thank the Marshall team for their expertise and commitment,” said Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK and Ireland.
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has received all five surplus C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft it acquired from the United Kingdom. The fifth and last C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules was received in early February 2020, completing the order made by the Bangladesh government starting 2018. These aircraft were formerly with the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and were among those retired early due to the RAF’s decision to replace them with the larger Airbus A400M Atlas heavy transport aircraft. While all five aircraft are now in active service with the BAF, Marshall is scheduled to deliver further modifications in the near future. Marshall will also continue to support the BAF with a range of technical services including global engineering support, supply chain and logistics management, spare parts procurement and provision of training.
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 60 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian, and humanitarian aid operations. The Hercules has outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants. The C-130J Mk. 5 are currently the most capable transport aircraft with the BAF, as it joins other transport assets including Antonov An-32 and legacy Lockheed Martin C-130B Hercules. The acquisition of the C-130Js will enable the Bangladesh Air Force to retire the four C-130Bs that it has fielded since 2001 (these were acquired secondhand from the United States) at the same time as augmenting its three Antonov An-32 ‘Cline’ and three L-410UVP-200 transport aircraft that date from 1989 and 2015.
“.