The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has signed a deal with UK’s Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (MADG) for the maintenance of the C-130J aircraft that was previously brought from Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF).
The bilateral deal was signed on Thursday at the BAF headquarters in the presence of government representatives from both Bangladesh and Britain, reports Cambridge News.
Alistair McPhee, CEO of MADG, told Cambridge News that they were delighted to have secured this important contract with BAF “in close cooperation with the UK MoD’s defence equipment sales authority.”
He added that MADG has experience in “delivering total support solutions to a wide range of C-130 operators” and that they thank BAF for the trust shown in their capabilities.
The British news outlet also cited a Bangladesh Air Force spokesperson saying that the acquisition of C-130J aircraft from RAF “provides a key enhancement” to BAF’s current airlift capability.
He added that having supported the Royal Air Force fleet of C-130s since 1966, BAF is very confident in MADG’s capabilities and they “welcome the breadth of knowledge and experience.”
According to the deal as cited by Cambridge News, MADG will give total support solution to BAF for C-130J aircraft maintenance, logistics support including the provision of spare parts and ground support equipment for establishing local capabilities, and engineering services to ensure the effective operation of the fleet.
The company will also be conducting vital modifications to the aircraft, such as “the design, development and installation of a MEDEVAC, or medical evacuation, capability,” to enable BAF to execute important tasks “within the country and overseas delivering support to UN missions.”
