It is known that our islands in the Aegean are in the sights of the Turks, whose occupation will be attempted, if ordered, by the 4th Aegean Army, assisted by Special Forces of the army, navy, army police and the General Staff, conducting landing and airborne operations against them.
Much of the air operations will be carried out with helicopters which Turkey has in magnitude of numbers but also with transport aircraft , which will carry out parachute drops in drop zones on them.
We know that the headquarters of the 1st TAX(KD-AL) (Commando Paratroopers Brigade) is located in Caesarea, while Erkelet airport, which is a few kilometres away, is the base for 10 Turkish A-400 transport aircraft, with the result that our islands in the Aegean are overlapped by the radius of action of these aircraft.
This means that there is an increased possibility of Turkish paratroopers being able to drop 116 paratroopers, each of which has the ability to drop on our Aegean islands, or to transport troops-arms systems-ammunition to them if a landing site, a normal airfield or airstrip is provided.
According to an article in a reputable Turkish International Media, entitled "UK withdraws C-130J Hercules - Final destination Turkey?", it states among other things:
"The RAF plans to retire five C-130 Hercules and disband 47 Squadron. These may be sent to Turkey to strengthen its air force. The Royal Air Force (RAF) plans to end fifty-six years of service of the C-130 Hercules aircraft. The service will officially end on 30 June 2023.
The last operational squadron, which has been equipped with Hercules aircraft since 25 February 1968, Squadron 47, will also be disbanded.
The British Ministry of Defence purchased 66 C-130K aircraft in the late 1960s. Most of the fleet was retired when 25 additional C-130J aircraft were purchased as replacements.
This new variant of the C130J was delivered between 1998 and 2000. The UK kept a small number of C-130Ks in service, for Special Forces Support Operations, until 28 October 2013. The UK announced its plan to retire the C-130J in order to replace it with 22 Airbus A400M aircraft.
The sole authority within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the sale of surplus military equipment and stock by the UK Armed Forces is the Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA).
DESA published a leaflet in September 2021 stating that a number of C-130J Hercules would be for sale. DESA has not stated how many aircraft will be available for sale.
It is known that the Turkish and British Ministries of Defence are currently negotiating the fate of the C-130J aircraft to serve in the Turkish Air Force.
General characteristics-Transport capacity
- Crew: 3 (two pilots and one loadmaster are minimum crew)
- Capacity:
- 92 passengers or
- 64 airborne troops; or
- 6 463L pallets or
- 74 patients with 5 medical personnel
- 2-3 Humvees or 1 LAV III (with turret removed) or one M113 armoured personnel carrier
- Main payload: 42,000 lbs (19,051 kg)
- Length: 97 feet 9 inches (29.79 m).
- Wingspan: 132 feet 7 inches (40.41 m)
- Height: 38 feet 10 inches (11.84 m)
- Power: 4 × Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, 4,637 shp (3,458 kW) each
- Maximum speed: 670 km/h - Mach 0,59 at 22 000 ft (6 706 m) altitude
- Airspeed: 644 km/h)
- Range: 3,300 km at maximum normal payload (34,000 lb (15,422 kg))
- Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,500 m) at maximum payload of 42,000 lb (19,051 kg)
- Absolute ceiling: 12,310 m
Conclusion
It is well known that the existence of 10 A-400 M transport aircraft in conjunction with the 17 Brigades of the Combat Airborne Brigades, gives Turkey operational capabilities even in the mainland of Greece and not only in our Aegean islands, while at the same time augmenting the aerial refueling capabilities of the Turkish Air Force.
This threat will be further increased by the addition of 5 C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, as these will add the capability to drop 320 paratroopers in a single route.
