Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama has approved a Libyan
request for two C-130J aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

On June 7, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the Libyan
request, not expected to meet opposition from either the House or Senate.

“The government of Libya uses airlift to maintain the connection between the central government and the country’s outlying areas,” the Pentagon agency said. “The sale of these C-130Js to Libya will significantly increase its capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces, thus strengthening its capacity in the security arena.”

The proposed sale, reported at $588 million, was approved amid a breakdown of security in Libya. In June, Libya’s chief of staff was fired for failing to stop militia attacks on government and military facilities, particularly in the east.

“Libya intends to use these aircraft primarily to move supplies and people within Libya,” DSCA said on June 10. “This medium lift capability
should assist with border security, the interdiction of known terrorist
elements, and rapid reaction to internal security threats.”

Officials said this marked the first major U.S. military sale to Libya
in decades. They said the administration has been lobbying the new
government in Tripoli to purchase U.S. military aircraft as well as
training.

DSCA said the Libyan request was for the C-130J-30 aircraft, a stretched
model of the standard Super Hercules. The agency said Tripoli also sought to
acquire Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 engines, all but two of them mounted on the
aircraft.

The Libyan project would not include offsets, DSCA said. The agency said
the project would require the assignment of four L-M representatives for
three years.

“Additionally, there will be a USAF [U.S. Air Force] logistics
specialist assisting the purchaser to establish a supply system in support
of flight operations, supply management, inventory control, and
documentation procedures for a period of three years following aircraft
delivery,” DSCA said.

  Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Libya to get C-130J transports in first U.S. military sale to Libya in decades, Lockheed Martin