ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: Pakistan Air Force would add six used C-130s to its air fleet at an estimated cost of $75 million by the end of the current year, PAF officials told Dawn.

Responding to questions about the deal and the costs involved, a PAF spokesperson said the refurbishing of the aircraft was currently under way at Lockheed Martin as per the agreement with the US government "which also includes transfer of technology."

The cost of the deal, in addition to the six aircraft, further includes one C-130E for cannibalization and use in other aircraft, upgrade of engines to Allison 56-A15 engines, avionics package, auto-pilot systems and complete upgrade, the spokesperson said.

Information collated from official PAF sources shows that the Glenn Amendment imposed by the US after the 1998 nuclear tests terminated all military sales to Pakistan and affected the fleet of 12 C-130s in the PAF inventory providing mobility and logistics support to the combat squadrons. Of the various repairables held in the US as a result of the Glenn Amendment, 145 belonged to the C-130 fleet of 12 aircraft.

In the late eighties, the C-130 aircraft were due for overhaul, commonly known as Programme Depot Management. The inspection was to be performed as per USAF document FD2060-86-52153.

The inspection required extensive non-destructive inspections including removal, cleaning, inspection, repairs, cleaning and rigging of all assemblies of C-130 aircraft.

Since PAF did not have the required infrastructure at that time, some of the aircraft were sent to Singapore and Peru for PDM. Four aircraft sent to Peru in 1989, 1990 and 1991 cost an estimated $2.15 million for PDM. The three aircraft sent to Singapore in 1991-92 and 1994 cost an average of $750,253 per aircraft.

The expenditure incurred on the last aircraft sent to Singapore in 1994 for PDM was $855,138. However, in 1994, a hangar was constructed which besides PDM had the capability of undertaking all types of major structural repairs and modifications on C-130 aircraft.

Asked to explain why Pakistan would be paying the US government contractors extra amount for upgrade of C-130E aircraft reportedly made redundant by Australia and sold at $2 million apiece when the facilities were available with the PAF, the official said: "It was part of the agreement that the upgrades would be carried out in the US."

The deal is said to have been tainted with allegations of kickbacks amounting to $16 million. However, the PAF officials said the differential in payments is covered by the cost of the extra packages with the C-130s.

"It is the usual practice with companies who do not get the contract to come out with allegations of kickbacks," an official said, denying any underhand deal in the sale.