Inaprubahan na ng United States Department ang pagbili ng Pilipinas ng dalawang C-130T Hercules cargo plane, na nagkakahalaga ng $61 million, para magamit ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Ito ay matapos abisuhan ni US Navy Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey, director ng US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), ang US Congress, sa pamamagitan ni Speaker Joseph Boechner, tungkol sa hiling ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas na makakuha ng dalawang C-130 cargo plane.

“The Government of the Philippines desires these additional C-130s to bolster its lift capabilities, which are essential for providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” ayon sa DSCA.

Ayon sa ahensiya, ang sales package na hiniling ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas mula sa US Defense Department ay dalawang C-130T cargo plane at 10 T56-16 engine.

Kabilang sa procurement program sa ilalim ng Foreign Military Sales program ang logistical sustainment at support para sa susunod na tatlong taon, modification of equipment and labor cost, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, aircraft ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor logistics, at technical support services. - Elena Aben