Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2010

BAE Systems BAe 146M

CAPE TOWN (BNS): BAE Systems is showcasing the BAe 146M as a cost-effective military transporter to Air Forces worldwide and is promoting the aircraft to African air forces by exhibiting at the African Aerospace and Defence Show (AAD) 2010.

BAE Systems believes a market is developing on the African Continent for a capable jet transport aircraft such as the BAe 146M.

Many air forces in Africa are using ageing air transport aircraft that need replacing, it said.

It is estimated that there are currently around 500 ageing aircraft in service on the African Continent of which around 40 percent are in excess of 30 years old.

Within Africa the BAe 146/Avro RJ airliner is proving increasingly attractive and nearly 20 aircraft have been delivered to seven customers across six countries. In South Africa itself four customers now operate the aircraft, BAE Systems said.

The company has a number of BAe 146 and Avro RJ series aircraft that are due back off lease from European airline customers over the next few years, which could be made available to military air transport operators.

The BAe 146M will be sold to military air arms in either passenger or freighter configuration. As pure passenger aircraft these aircraft will seat between 80-109 passengers; as freighters they will carry between 11-12.5 tonnes of freight.