Pakistan Air Force Transport

[Yasser76]

I think the report of the PN choosing the Lineage 1000 for the LRMPA could be a way for Embraer to pitch the C-390 to the PAF. I think the C-390 is a solid complement to the C-130: it can handle AAR, but also manage non-rugged transport duties (leaving the C-130s to focus on hot-and-high). Plus $200 m per unit with a 12-year support package is a pretty good price.

Agreed, C-390 seems to offer the economy of an airliner with some decent transport and refuelling capability, for topping up fighters on CAP or about to fly into India it is perfect, we do not need anything with range, volume or weight in A330/767 class. Again only issue is lack of boom will leave the F-16s thirsty, but as they get older and older seems like a waste to buy a boom equipped tanker now as when it enters service F-16s will be out a few years later, possibly 2030

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130-Hercules/1112

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Harbin-Y-12-II/2810

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Harbin-Y-12-II/2811

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130B-Hercules/2832

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130-Hercules/1267

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Saab-2000/2830

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Cessna-560XL-Citation-Excel/2835

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130-Hercules/730

 

[LKJ86]

Via @zhangmx969 from Weibo

 

[air marshal]

https://falcons.pk/photo/Cessna-560XL-Citation-Excel/2839

 

[air marshal]

https://www.falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130E-Hercules/1182

 

[ghazi52]

 

[niaz]

Agreed, C-390 seems to offer the economy of an airliner with some decent transport and refuelling capability, for topping up fighters on CAP or about to fly into India it is perfect, we do not need anything with range, volume or weight in A330/767 class. Again only issue is lack of boom will leave the F-16s thirsty, but as they get older and older seems like a waste to buy a boom equipped tanker now as when it enters service F-16s will be out a few years later, possibly 2030

Hon Sir,

Undoubtedly C390 is an excellent cargo plane. It is faster and more economic than the C-130 models currently in the PAF. However, did you consider its cost? C390 unit cost was $50-million in 2016 dollars.
(https://www.aircraftcompare.com/aircraft/embraer-kc-390/).

Once you add on training & induction costs of a brand new aircraft, IMO its addition would be very onerous on the Defense budget. Pakistan is not a very large country nor does she have overseas logistic commitments that we must have an expensive modern jet transport fleet. C-130 is probably the best rugged medium transport plane ever built and refurbished second-hand C-130 E & H models are available at a fraction of the cost of the brand new C390.

Given the dire FE situation of Pakistan, I would rather go for the additional used C-130's despite it being American if needed and utilize the precious FE to upgrade the aging PAF fighter fleet. I read some time ago that AIRBUS was developing a modified version of A-320 for use as intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance as well as a military transport.
(https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/new...aluates-an-A320neo-multi-mission-version.html).

Should PAF decide on a jet-powered transport fleet, I would opt for the refurbished & modified A-320s. Since PIA already has a large A-320 fleet, its induction in the PAF would be far more economical.

 

[air marshal]

https://www.falcons.pk/photo/Lockheed-C-130E-Hercules/2874