The Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom continues to search for buyers for its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which were retired from active service in June 2023, marked by a farewell flight. In total, there are about 14 units for sale, including one aircraft in the C-130J (C5) version and thirteen in the C-130J-30 variant with extended fuselage (C4).
The Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) of the British Ministry of Defence stated that there are several potential destinations on the list but none have made progress: “The Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) is managing the sales program on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and continues to actively seek sales with several potential buyers.”
It is worth noting, among the mentioned potential destinations, the interest of the Greek Air Force in acquiring some of the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft retired by the RAF. Reports from the specialized media Janes dated at the end of 2022 indicated initial contacts between the Greek Ministry of National Defence and the UK-based company Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, which was selected as the main contractor to provide technical support for the future users of the platform.
The process of divesting C-130J aircraft by the United Kingdom began earlier than planned in the initial plans, responding at the time to a defense funding crisis that necessitated a restructuring of the armed forces as a whole. To address the loss of capabilities associated with the Super Hercules, such as the deployment of airborne forces, the RAF began using its new A400M aircraft manufactured by Airbus, of which it has about 22 units.
It is useful to recall that the RAF’s C-130Js were acquired in 1993, purchased as replacements for the old Hercules C.Mk 1 units, also known as the “Legacy” fleet. At the time of undertaking this operation (in December of that year), the J version of the Super Hercules was the most modern on the market, of which 10 units were incorporated. An additional 15 aircraft in the C-130J-30 version with extended fuselage were also purchased at that time. In nearly 20 years of service, the RAF’s Super Hercules flew many more flight hours than initially projected; however, their retirement, as mentioned, also came accelerated, a full 10 years earlier.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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