With the goal of strengthening its tactical and strategic airlift capabilities, the Mexican Air Force (FAM) has confirmed the acquisition of a Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules. The announcement, made in the 2024–2025 activities report of the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), responds to the need to reinforce heavy airlift capacity, which is essential both for military operations and for civilian support missions in disaster situations. Delivery is scheduled for November 2028, at which time Mexico will become the first operator of this model in Latin America.
The acquisition seeks to anticipate the imminent obsolescence of the current heavy transport fleet. The 302nd Air Squadron currently operates three C-130 Hercules aircraft, which by 2028 will have accumulated between 48 and 60 years of service—seriously compromising their availability and maintenance costs. In this context, the arrival of the C-130J is projected as an indispensable replacement to ensure the continuity of strategic operations involving troop mobility, equipment transport, and humanitarian aid deployment.
The C-130J Super Hercules is the most modern version of the historic Hercules family manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Compared to the C-130H, it offers a 21% higher maximum speed, a 50% reduction in climb time, a 40% higher service ceiling, and up to a 40% greater operating range. It is powered by Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engines, features six-blade propellers, and a digital cockpit that facilitates transition for crews already trained on similar systems, such as the C-27J Spartan, of which the Mexican Air Force operates four units.
In terms of capabilities, the C-130J can carry up to 21,770 kg of payload, operate with 92 passengers or 64 fully equipped soldiers, and adapt to multiple configurations: search and rescue, medical evacuation, aerial refueling, electronic warfare, or emergency response. With a range of more than 5,200 km and a cruising speed of 660 km/h, it offers a balance between strategic reach and tactical performance—particularly useful for a country with Mexico’s geographic size and complex terrain.
The purchase was finalized after Sedena evaluated in 2023 the possibility of acquiring two aircraft, ultimately reducing the investment to a single unit. The decision came in a comparative analysis scenario, as the main competitors were presented during the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) 2025: the Airbus A400M, the Embraer KC-390 Millennium, and the C-130J itself. Although the Brazilian KC-390 had generated interest due to its higher payload capacity (26 tons) and versatility as both a transport and aerial refueling aircraft, the selection of the C-130J reportedly responded to criteria of logistical standardization and operational continuity, taking into account Mexico’s prior experience with the Hercules family.
It is also worth noting that the incorporation of the C-130J will strengthen interoperability with strategic allies such as the United States and maintain the dual-use capacity of the Mexican Air Force fleet. The aircraft will allow the FAM not only to sustain the mobility of its armed forces but also to reinforce its role in supporting the civilian population during emergencies.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
See also: Mexican Air Force selects Cessna 206 for ISR missions
