New Zealand to order five new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft

A C-130J of the French Air Force, for photo reference only. Photo from Air Force Technology.

The New Zealand government confirmed that they are purchasing five (5) new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from American aviation giant Lockheed Martin.

The new aircraft would replace ageing assets of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), which consists of older C-130H Hercules.

The project, worth NZ$1.521 billion (US$998 million)  and undertaken under US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, would include a full mission flight simulator and other supporting infrastructure, as well as additional spare parts, training, logistics support and other requirements to support the RNZAF’s smooth transition to the new aircraft.

The aircraft will have a greater payload, is faster and can travel further than the older Hercules aircraft, and would be fitted with special capabilities including satellite communications and electro-optical/infra-red camera which can be used for surveillance missions.

The RNZAF expects the first C-130J Super Hercules to be delivered by 2024, with the deliveries completed by 2025 which would also allow the phase retirement of the older C-130H Hercules.

The RNZAF is also looking at replacing their fleet of 2 Boeing 757 jet transport aircraft which are reaching the end of their service life this decade.


[1] Beehive - New Zealand Government