Should Pakistan Replace C-130 With IL-76?

[Green Machine]

Pakistan has operated the C-130 Hercules for over 55 years many of these airframes are very old and have alot of flying hours. It has proven itself as a workhorse and is in services with many countries of the world even today, further there are newer versions of this old design still being produced.

The IL-76 makes perfect sense as a replacement for the C-130 namely for the following reasons:

• The IL-76 is already in service the PAF in tanker form
• The IL-76 is a proven design and a workhorse, yet it is larger than the C-130
• The US is not a reliable arms supplier as evident historically and we must reduce our dependence and purchases from the US.
• The IL-76 purchase/replacement of the C-130 will help build on the much improving Russia-Pakistan relations
• The IL-76 is in service with many countries around the world and so obtaining spares will not be difficult.
• The IL-76 is a relatively cheaper transport aircraft given the number produced and available
• The exisiting C-130 aircraft in service are very old and in need of replacement.

We have a requirement of approximately 20 IL-76 to replace the 18 odd C-130 that we currently have in service.

To give you an indication the cost, The Russian airforce ordered 39 IL-76MD-90A for approximately $4.5 billion, so for 20 we can expect just over $2billion.

You can see the latest version that Russia is building and selling here:

 

[Trailer23]

One Word: NO

 

[Pak_Sher]

Pakistan has operated the C-130 Hercules for over 55 years many of these airframes are very old and have alot of flying hours. It has proven itself as a workhorse and is in services with many countries of the world even today, further there are newer versions of this old design still being produced.

The IL-76 makes perfect sense as a replacement for the C-130 namely for the following reasons:

• The IL-76 is already in service the PAF in tanker form
• The IL-76 is a proven design and a workhorse, yet it is larger than the C-130
• The US is not a reliable arms supplier as evident historically and we must reduce our dependence and purchases from the US.
• The IL-76 purchase/replacement of the C-130 will help build on the much improving Russia-Pakistan relations
• The IL-76 is in service with many countries around the world and so obtaining spares will not be difficult.
• The IL-76 is a relatively cheaper transport aircraft given the number produced and available
• The exisiting C-130 aircraft in service are very old and in need of replacement.

We have a requirement of approximately 20 IL-76 to replace the 18 odd C-130 that we currently have in service.

To give you an indication the cost, The Russian airforce ordered 39 IL-76MD-90A for approximately $4.5 billion, so for 20 we can expect just over $2billion.

You can see the latest version that Russia is building and selling here:

All older platforms should be replaced with acquisitions from reliable defense partners.

 

[MH.Yang]

Why doesn't PAF consider Y20?

The data of Y20 is slightly worse than C17 and better than C130 and YL76. Moreover, PAF has never used Russian aircraft. Why add a new aircraft maintenance standard and add trouble to logistics?
C17 has been discontinued, so I suggest considering Y20.

 

[zhxy]

Why doesn't PAF consider Y20?

The data of Y20 is slightly worse than C17 and better than C130 and YL76. Moreover, PAF has never used Russian aircraft. Why add a new aircraft maintenance standard and add trouble to logistics?
C17 has been discontinued, so I suggest considering Y20.

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PAF does not need heavy and long-range transport aircraft. They cannot use the full potential of the Y-20 if they buy it, and maintaining and operating a large transport aircraft like the Y-20 is also very expensive. No economic efficiency.

 

[Keysersoze]

Pakistan has operated the C-130 Hercules for over 55 years many of these airframes are very old and have alot of flying hours. It has proven itself as a workhorse and is in services with many countries of the world even today, further there are newer versions of this old design still being produced.

The IL-76 makes perfect sense as a replacement for the C-130 namely for the following reasons:

• The IL-76 is already in service the PAF in tanker form
• The IL-76 is a proven design and a workhorse, yet it is larger than the C-130
• The US is not a reliable arms supplier as evident historically and we must reduce our dependence and purchases from the US.
• The IL-76 purchase/replacement of the C-130 will help build on the much improving Russia-Pakistan relations
• The IL-76 is in service with many countries around the world and so obtaining spares will not be difficult.
• The IL-76 is a relatively cheaper transport aircraft given the number produced and available
• The exisiting C-130 aircraft in service are very old and in need of replacement.

We have a requirement of approximately 20 IL-76 to replace the 18 odd C-130 that we currently have in service.

To give you an indication the cost, The Russian airforce ordered 39 IL-76MD-90A for approximately $4.5 billion, so for 20 we can expect just over $2billion.

You can see the latest version that Russia is building and selling here:

20 A400 atlases would cost less. The KC390 would be a better fit but probably costs a lot.
The Russians are not reliable either. There was a shortage of IL76s a few years back. Even the Chinese couldn't get hold of airframes.

Why doesn't PAF consider Y20?

The data of Y20 is slightly worse than C17 and better than C130 and YL76. Moreover, PAF has never used Russian aircraft. Why add a new aircraft maintenance standard and add trouble to logistics?
C17 has been discontinued, so I suggest considering Y20.

View attachment 780973
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Wrong weight class to replace the c130

 

[Great Janjua]

20 A400 atlases would cost less. The KC390 would be a better fit but probably costs a lot.
The Russians are not reliable either. There was a shortage of IL76s a few years back. Even the Chinese couldn't get hold of airframes.

Wrong weight class to replace the c130

KC390 would be the best bet but as you stated it's quite expensive. However, we do not need an immediate replacement for our transport fleet so it's best we let time take its course. eventually, the KC390 will be economical for a buy.

 

[PDF]

What about Alenia C-27J Spartan? It shares alot with C-130. Engaging with Italy can help Pakistan's other initiatives. C-130 is doing a fine job. We should target to hoard more retiring C-130s if not going for brand new relatively costly ones.

 

[Great Janjua]

What about Alenia C-27J Spartan? It shares alot with C-130. Engaging with Italy can help Pakistan's other initiatives. C-130 is doing a fine job. We should target to hoard more retiring C-130s if not going for brand new relatively costly ones.

I heard it has maintenance issues. And very bad ones.

 

[Keysersoze]

What about Alenia C-27J Spartan? It shares alot with C-130. Engaging with Italy can help Pakistan's other initiatives. C-130 is doing a fine job. We should target to hoard more retiring C-130s if not going for brand new relatively costly ones.

I hadnt thought about the c27J Its not a bad option depending on the costs.

I heard it has maintenance issues. And very bad ones.

Where have you heard that? The Australians? I can't find any open source info on it.

 

[Great Janjua]

Where have you heard that? The Australians? I can't find any open source info on it.
[/QUOTE]

Yep, mostly Australians but even the American air force have had hard a run at this machine and ended up giving them to the coast guard, citing budgets cuts as the reason. it's very expensive to maintain this aircraft not worth it for aircraft on a similar line to the CN-235, plus the supply chain is not very dependable.

 

[maverick1977]

buy C919, IL76 and Tu16 for transport.

 

[Great Janjua]

Where have you heard that? The Australians? I can't find any open source info on it.

Yep, mostly Australians but even the American air force have had hard a run at this machine and ended up giving them to the coast guard, citing budgets cuts as the reason. it's very expensive to maintain this plane not worth it for an aircraft on a similar line to the CN-235, plus the supply chain is not very dependable. The main thing is the cost of maintenance, which for an aircraft on this scale is too expensive not to mention the asking price for the plane itself is damn high.

 

[Keysersoze]

buy C919, IL76 and Tu16 for transport.

I don't think you have thought your list through properly.

 

[Great Janjua]

buy C919, IL76 and Tu16 for transport.

Maintenance nightmare.
What we need is something along the lines of CN-295. It is cheap, easy to maintain, short turnaround time, parts readily accessible and has great operational capability in any part of the world. Be it deserts, high altitude plateaus, unpaved runways you name it.