IRIA News

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Turkiye has officially agreed with the United Kingdom to acquire twelve ex-Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft, marking a significant enhancement of the Turkish Air Force’s airlift capabilities.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed the deal during a weekly press briefing in Ankara. MND spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk stated that the aircraft “will be gradually incorporated into our air force inventory following the completion of maintenance and modernization in the United Kingdom under the signed contract.”

Turkish Rear Adm Zeki Akturk added that the “maintenance and upkeep of the C-130J aircraft will be carried out with domestic and national resources following type training.”

The C-130J aircraft, retired from RAF service in June 2023, is currently undergoing overhaul and modernization at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, a certified Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility specializing in the Hercules family. The work includes system upgrades, equipment modifications to meet Turkish operational needs, and standard inspections before the aircraft enters Turkish service.

A UK Ministry of Defense spokesperson told media reports that, “We can confirm that 12 UK C-130J aircraft have been transferred to a private company for maintenance and modernization as part of an agreement with Turkiye. The UK has a strong defence relationship with Turkiye, building on years of industrial ties between our two countries.”

The RAF initially ordered 25 C-130J aircraft in 1994, consisting of ten standard C-130Js and fifteen extended-fuselage C-130J-30s, with the first deliveries made to RAF Lyneham in 1998. However, following the introduction of 22 Airbus A400M transports from 2014, the UK decided to retire its Hercules fleet to cut costs and streamline operations. The final C-130J left RAF service in June 2023 after more than two decades of operations, including missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and global humanitarian relief efforts.

The Turkish Air Force currently operates 19 C-130B/E variants, several of which have been upgraded under the Erciyes modernization program managed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The new C-130Js are expected either to replace ageing C-130B aircraft or to expand Turkiye’s strategic air transport capabilities.

The acquisition will also help preserve the flight hours of Turkiye’s fleet of 10 Airbus A400M strategic transport aircraft by assigning medium-range missions to the C-130Js.

Aircraft Features and Capabilities

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, features a digital two-crew glass cockpit, advanced avionics, and greater fuel efficiency than earlier models. It remains one of the most widely used tactical transport aircraft worldwide, capable of airlifting troops, vehicles, and cargo, as well as performing aerial refueling and special operations support.

Marshall Aerospace will deliver the Turkish aircraft after modernization and testing. The company has previously refurbished and transferred other surplus RAF C-130Js, five to Bangladesh, two to Bahrain, and one to the United States.

The remaining RAF C-130Js stored at Marshall Aerospace’s Cambridge site have now been reserved by future buyers, though the details of those deals have not yet been disclosed.

The acquisition underscores Ankara’s effort to modernize its air mobility fleet and enhance operational readiness for both military and humanitarian missions. With the inclusion of these ex-RAF aircraft, Turkiye will bolster its ability to conduct long-range airlift operations, disaster response missions, and international deployments. The aircraft are expected to begin entering Turkish service after the completion of modernization and pilot training phases in the coming months.