SAS heroes ‘grounded for two years’ with no special ops because of plane cock up
SAS special ops are to be grounded for two years – because they won’t have planes.
The special forces troops will not be able to parachute in or land in remote areas until 2025.
Their C-130 Hercules transport planes, which have been ferrying them to warzones for more than five decades, are being taken out of service in June. And it will be two years before their replacement – the A400, below – is fully ready to use.
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Special forces chiefs are dismayed at the decision to mothball the Hercules, shown above, before its replacement is ready.
It will mean the Parachute Regiment and the SBS will also be stopped from being dropped into action.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A source said: “Every country in Nato is retaining their C-130s for special forces and airborne roles – so why are we disposing of it?” They claimed it “highlights the lack of planning and awareness at a time of war in Eastern Europe”.
RAF chief Air Marshall Sir Mike Wigston revealed the problem to MPs. He told the Defence Select Committee it was a result of Government cutbacks – and despite warnings from senior officers.
He said: “There are a small number of niche capabilities which SF (special forces) needs which we are still bringing into service, and they will be brought into service within two years.”
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Richard Drax, Tory MP for south Dorset and former Guards officer, said he could not understand why the RAF is not keeping the C-130 in service until all the capabilities are approved on the A400.
He said : “I have friends of friends serving in SF and all regret the loss of the aircraft. The loss of this aircraft is affecting our capability”
Air Marshall Richard Knighton told the committee ’there are tasks that SF will not be able to do until 2025, if we kept the C-130 we would have to pay for it’.But senior Special Forces are dismayed at the decision to axe the C-130, which will leave the SAS and SBS short of capability for the next two years until the aircraft is fully in service.
The senior source added : “The new A400 is a hi-tech aircraft, it is not robust and cannot land in remote desert runways at night, it is too big for our needs and has a huge radar signature.
“The decision to retire the Hercules two years before the full in service capability of the A400 highlights the lack of planning and awareness at a time of war in Eastern Europe.”
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on special forces operations.
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