Australia orders 20 C-130Js to replace and expand current RAAF fleet
The RAAF operates 12 C-130Js. (Photo: Australian DoD)
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) transport capability will be substantially boosted by an Australian DoD order of 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft under a AUD9.8 billion ($6.6 billion) contract announced on 24 July.
The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by the air force with delivery of the first aircraft expected from late 2027.
The current fleet of C-130Js operated by the RAAF have been heavily used, taking part in almost every Australian defence operation since entering service, including Bougainville assistance and Timor-Leste peacekeeping through to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Related Articles
Boeing, Royal Australian Air Force graduate 1st locally trained C-17 pilots
Farnborough 2010: Lockheed Martin looks to sell another 250 C-130J
Boeing, RAAF complete 1st year of in-country C-17 pilot training
More recently the aircraft supported Australia’s response to COVID-19 in the region, delivering vaccines and medical supplies, as well as bushfire and flood response.
The aircraft will continue to be operated by the 37th Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in NSW.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the newest contract will take the number ordered to 334 with 241 delivered.
It has been ordered by 21 countries.
Australia bought 12 C-130Js under Project Air 5216 in 1995 and deliveries were completed in 2000 with an out-of-service date of 2039.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
-
DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions
The partnership will integrate Helsing’s AI-powered systems with the Systematic SitaWare suite of C4ISR currently used by more than 50 nations, enabling faster data exchange between ISR UAVs and Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munitions.
-
Finland secures possible $1.07 billion AMRAAM deal with US State Department
The Nordic country is set to bolster its defence capabilities after its foreign military sales request for AIM-120D-3 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) was approved.