Possibility of transports?

[pilatus]

is the aircorps considering buying a medium transport aircraft?i ask this because in AFM a couple of issues back Ireland was mentioned as a potential customer for the c27 and in flight international 4th-10th january there is an article on the c-27j spartan and it says Alenia of Italy has reserved 6airframes for potenial operators which lists Ireland as a potential buyer along with australia bulgaria usa canada taiwan and the czech republic.anybody know anything?

[Silver]

Interesting stuff pilatus.

I recall that around the time of the White Paper, the AC were looking for a transport aircraft (with a value of c.£40 million), and the C27 was mentioned. Suffice to say it was 'shot down' by the Dept of Finance back then.

Perhaps with the advent of PfP membership and EU 'common defence' looming, the possability of a C27 is no longer so 'far fetched' !

.............or then again, perhaps the manufacturer is just hoping the AC will buy one !!

[FMolloy]

I think it's hope on the part of the manufacturer, they can see the AC's need for such a transport & are trying to keep AC brass interested in the Spartan (landing one in the Don last year being an example of this).

It's like Aero & the L-139 - there's been no formal expression of interest from the AC but the manufacturer percieves a sales opportunity & acts of his own bat.

The CASA C-295 is a far more likely candidate based on equal or better performance than the Spartan, less cost to purchase and operate, the Euro advantage in that EU monies may be provided, as well as commonality and satisfaction with the CASA product based on the 235MPA in IAC service.

One prospect is to standardize on the 295 in a deal whereby the 235's are traded in for two 295 Persuader MPA's and 1-2 standard 295 airlifters - supported by a significant amount of EU money, up to perhaps 10-15% of the total.  This would make the final cost to Ireland somewhere in the region of  US$45M (if only one airlifter in the package) - significantly less than the price of a single C-130J-30.

295's are flown by Spain (9) and Poland ( in Europe, with orders imminent from Finland (2), Portugal (4 MPA, 8 airlifters), Swizterland (2), with further orders likely, particularly in Eastern Europe.  Brazil also has 12 on order.  Spain is interested in the 235MPA's to replace their F-27MPA's in the Canaries, and their is interest from Colombia and Chile.  

C-27's are on order for Italy (12) and Greece (12), with further orders unlikely in Europe, though imminent in the USA and Canada.

[pilatus]

the casa would probably stand a better chance but the c27 is supposedly the better aircraft for tactical transport but the government doesnt always the buy the best available aircraft.the buy back by casa how much would each casa fetch if such a deal went ahead?

[FMolloy]

I don't see the EU giving us any money for new CASA's, they've got all the new member states looking for the same benefits we got in the past.

Good point about new member states, but consider that airlift capability is an urgent goal of the EU RRF + the perception of value for money from the 235MPA's in terms of fisheries protection and management - an EU economic priority.  295 Persuader MPA's would provide much improved capabilites, including longer ranges and greater patrol time = even more value for money.  And I believe the EU will provide some  funding for the imminent Portugese deal for 4 295MPA's and 8 295 airlifters on similar grounds, similarly to the Portugese EH-101 buy.

As for the trade-in value of the 235MPA's, that depends on a lot of factors, but  probably in the range of $US12M each.

Either way, I wouldn't look for any action on a much needed airlift capability any time soon.  Certainly not before the end of this year.  Remember, there are still 2-4 more AB-139's to order, though these could concievably come after the order for an airlifter.  Something to watch for is whether the 235MPA's get a mid-life upgrade to -300 standard, with the FITS sensor management system and incorporating  features from the 295.  That will mean they are staying in service for at least another ten years.