Philippines to acquire 5 new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft

A Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules, this example from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Photo c/o Australian Aviation.

The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has confirmed in a budget hearing with the country's Congress, that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is planning to procure five (5) new Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.

The procurement, expected to be worth Php37 billion (US$747 million), was said to have already been approved by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last May 2020, and is still awaiting for initial funding worth 15% of the project cost, or around Php5.5 billion, which the PAF is planning to schedule starting 2021.

According to PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allan Paredes, the arrival of 5 new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft will allow the PAF to transport 1 rapid deployment battalion at one stroke, while also provide sufficient capability to ferry personnel, equipment and supplies during disasters.

The PAF currently has 4 legacy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in its inventory, although only 2 are operational. which includes a C-130T undergoing maintenance in Portugal, and a C-130B also under maintenance in the PAF's base in Cebu province.

According to Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the PAF is actually eyeing the C-130J-30 stretched variant of the Super Hercules, which is 15 feet longer than the standard C-130J that provides additional space for 2 more standard pallets, or additional space for passengers or paratroopers.

Also as part of a separate project, the PAF is also expecting delivery of two refurbished C-130H Hercules which it acquired from the United States, with assistance from the US government. The delivery has already encountered delays, with the first unit expected to be delivered to the PAF before the end of 2020, and the second aircraft by 2021.


[1] Inquirer.net
[2] MaxDefense Philippines[3] Inquirer.net