Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has taken delivery of the first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in Marietta, Georgia.
There will be five Hercules in the new fleet, which are on track to start arriving in New Zealand later this year. The new fleet is being procured as part of a Foreign Military Sales process worth NZD 1.5 billion (USD 902.3 million).
The new C-130J aircraft will be operated by 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai and will replace the older C-130H models that have been in service for nearly six decades.
In 2020, New Zealand officials announced their plans to upgrade their current fleet of five C-130Hs with five C-130J-30 variants through a Foreign Military Sale with the US Air Force. A joint project team composed of personnel from New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force has been collaborating with the US Air Force and Lockheed Martin to oversee the aircraft delivery and training programmes.
“The new C-130J Hercules has significant enhanced operational capabilities and ensures the Defence Force will be well-equipped with a modern, safe, powerful and fit-for-purpose airlift capability,” said Sarah Minson, Deputy Secretary Capability Delivery at the Ministry of Defence.
“From supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations to partnering with allies in military operations, New Zealand’s C-130s are truly a global force for good,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business.
“The RNZAF’s new C-130J fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements.”
Lockheed Martin stated that the C-130J delivers unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.
