The Mexican government wants to acquire two C-130J transports under a $412 million foreign military sale, announced the Pentagon. The stretched C-130J-30s would “primarily be used for presidential support, but may also be used to support drug interdiction and other security missions,” states the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s Sept. 25 release. The agency said it notified Congress of the potential transaction on Sept. 21. The FMS package would include spares, training, and logistical support, according to the release. The sale would contribute to US interests by “potentially supporting missions in Mexico’s fight against criminal organizations, drugs, and gang activities,” states the release. The Mexican air force already operates older model C-130s.
A new report from the Government Accountability Office calls for the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer to have budget certification authority over the military services’ research and development accounts—a move the services say would add a burdensome and unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.
