Ministers Believe Pentagon "Favorable" To Idea

Canada's National Defense has formally requested to jump ahead of the US military to get delivery of 17 C-130J Hercules by 2009 -- a full year ahead of schedule.

The Pentagon is "favorable to the idea," said Dan Ross, the department's assistant deputy minister of material, according to the Canadian Press.

National Defense made a similar request that was granted last year for four C-17 Globemasters and 16 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Boeing Aircraft Corp. Delivery of those planes will begin in the next few months.

"We're hoping we'll be able to get the opportunity to start training new crews and technicians on the 130J before 2010," Ross said.

The Canadian air force is currently using Hercules transports to perform supply drops to NATO troops at outer-lying bases in Afghanistan. The bulk of its fleet is 32 aging C-130E and C-130Hs, purchased between 1960 and 1997.

Ross said he believes the US will see approving the request as being in its best interest.

"I mean, we work together around the world and (we're) obviously co-operating very, very closely in Afghanistan," he said. "So they need Canada to be as militarily self-sufficient as possible."

Canada announced last summer its intention to purchase new tactical-lift aircraft, as air transport is reportedly one of the biggest problems currently facing NATO countries in Afghanistan. But opposition increased their critical attacks in November when it was confirmed negotiations were being conducted exclusively with Lockheed Martin.

Airbus Military, Lockheed's only real competition delivered an unsolicited proposal to members of the House of Commons defence committee Friday and called for the C-130J purchase to be scrapped altogether.

An official decision by the US has yet to be made. Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, is still negotiating a final contract for the $4.9-billion purchase with Lockheed Martin.

"We're hoping we'll be able to get the opportunity to start training new crews and technicians on the 130J before 2010," Ross said.

FMI: www.forces.gc.ca, www.lockheedmartin.com