Argentina invests USD 111 million in maintenance and modernization of its C-130 and L-100 Hercules fleet

The Argentine government, through administrative decisions 721/2024 and 722/2024, approved a new expenditure for the maintenance and modernization of the fleet of C-130/L-100 Hercules transport aircraft and other aircraft of U.S. origin. This measure is framed within the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and the Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement (CLSSA) of the U.S. government.

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Details of the operation

The two recently published official bulletins detail two different contracts, both related to the procurement of spare parts, repairs and upgrades for the Argentine air fleet.

• Contract AR-D-KCM: This agreement focuses on the replenishment of standard unclassified spare parts and the repair or replacement of components for C-130 and other aircrafts. The total amount awarded is USD 12 million.
• AR-D-QAV Contract: This larger contract is primarily for the avionics upgrade of C-130/L-100 aircraft. Through several amendments, the scope of the agreement has been expanded to include continued support for the modernization of these aircraft. The total amount of this contract exceeds USD 99 million, and payments of more than USD 85 million have been made.Impact of C-130/L100 Hercules fleet modernization

Impact of C-130/L100 Hercules fleet modernization

The work being carried out by Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) “Brg. San Martín” for the C-130 and L-100 Hercules aircrafts of the Argentine Air Force (FAA) included the removal of obsolescences and changes in the navigation and communications systems, alert and surveillance equipment, search and rescue, night vision and the improvement of other systems such as the digitalization of the fuel indication and fuel quantity system and the electronic control of propellers, which aims to extend the operational life of the aircrafts for another 20 years.

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The new investment contracts for spare parts and repairs will allow the FAA’s main military transport aircrafts to increase their operational availability, while improving in-flight safety levels for their crews.