Australia double dips on C-130J transport replacement
The RAAF is planning to replace its current fleet of C-130J-30 transport aircraft with more of the same. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
Lockheed Martin's C-130J has been promulgated as the Royal Australian Air Force's preferred choice to replace the current Super Hercules fleet.
On 1 November, the Australian DoD announced that it had selected a replacement platform for its fleet of a dozen C-130Js. In fact, these aircraft operated since 1999 will be replaced with more of the same.
Although numbers were not mentioned in the announcement, it did say the [RAAF] will be ‘expanding’ its fleet.
Australia’s C-130Js received from 1999-2001 will reach their 30-year life of type in FY2030-31. The name for this RAAF replacement and expansion exercise is Project Air 7404 Phase 1.
The DoD said it had ‘approached a number of aircraft manufacturers and received information on all available
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore’s Hermes 900 buy to enhance multi-domain ISR capabilities]()
Singapore’s Hermes 900 buy to enhance multi-domain ISR capabilities
Drawing on its endurance and substantial payload capacity, the Hermes 900 would provide a boost to Singapore’s ISR capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2025: GA-ASI’s MQ-9B racks up new milestones with AEW demo planned]()
Dubai Airshow 2025: GA-ASI’s MQ-9B racks up new milestones with AEW demo planned
The company announced its demonstration timeline while confirming the MQ-9B had completed the platform’s third lifetime test.
-
![India reopens hunt for reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters]()
India reopens hunt for reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters
The extended deadline for vendors highlights the complexity of the procurement for India, with numerous vendors positioning themselves for the programme.
