In response to the need to modernize its tactical airlift fleet, U.S. company Lockheed Martin completed the sale of a C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft to the Mexican Air Force (FAM), making Mexico the first country in Latin America to operate this advanced version of the iconic Hercules. The contract was officially announced on January 21, 2026, from the company’s plant in Marietta, Georgia, marking a new step in the renewal of the country’s air capabilities.
The incorporation of the C-130J-30 represents a significant advance for the FAM, which is seeking to progressively replace its veteran C-130 Hercules aircraft. With this acquisition, Mexico joins the group of 25 countries that currently operate more than 560 units of this version worldwide. It is also the first of two international contracts closed by Lockheed Martin in late 2025, although the second customer has not yet been disclosed.
The new “C-130J-30” version of the Hercules features a lengthened fuselage with an additional 15 feet (approximately 4.5 meters) of cargo space, increasing capacity for the transport of personnel, equipment, and humanitarian aid. These improvements will strengthen the Mexican Air Force’s logistical operations and expand its ability to respond to emergencies, both within national territory and in regional cooperation missions.
Mexico has long-standing experience operating C-130 Hercules aircraft, accumulated over more than five decades. This background will facilitate the integration of the new model into its fleet, ensuring operational continuity and immediate exploitation of the capabilities offered by the most modern version of the historic transport aircraft.
In this regard, Trish Pagan, Vice President of Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, stated: “This historic decision by Mexico reflects the continued confidence placed in the C-130J Super Hercules by operators around the world.” She added that “With its new C-130J-30, the Mexican Air Force will have a tactical airlift capability with unmatched performance, exceptional reliability, and the versatility required to carry out the model’s 20 certified missions, both in Mexico and at the regional and international levels.”
For more than half a century, Hercules aircraft have been an essential asset in the Mexican Air Force’s transport, humanitarian support, and disaster response operations. The arrival of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules marks a new stage in the modernization of its tactical airlift aviation, strengthening the country’s capabilities to face critical missions and expand its regional reach.
*Images used for illustrative purposes. Cover credits: Lockheed Martin.
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