Muscat: Oman has signed a deal to buy two more Super Hercules (C130J) transport planes from Lockheed Martin.
Sayed Badr Bin Saud Bin Hareb Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, signed the contract to purchase two transport aircraft. He also signed a contract to buy an Airbus A320 from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS NV).
"The purchase of these planes is aimed at reinforcing the standard of performance and quality of the Royal Air Force of Oman in order to cope with the requirements of modernisation and development, as well as the needs of the Sultan's Armed Forces to contribute in boosting the Sultanate's comprehensive development," said a statement carried by government-owned news agency ONA.
According to Lockheed Martin's website, Oman ordered its first C-130J in July 2009, for delivery in 2012. The two additional aircraft will be delivered in late 2013 and early 2014.
The first aircraft is of the C130J-30 "long" configuration and the new order is for two C-130J "short" configuration aircraft.
"The C-130J is ideally suited to the operating conditions found in Oman and other areas of the Gulf," said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice-president (VP) for Air Mobility and Special Operations Forces Programmes.
"In selecting the C-130J Super Hercules, Oman has recognised all the proven qualities of the world's most advanced airlifter."
Oman currently operates a fleet of three C-130Hs purchased in the early 1980s. The new C-130J fleet will support Omani operations with its outstanding capability to operate out of remote, austere airstrips.
Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide.
