The Albanese Government of Australia has announced its decision to purchase 20 new Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at a cost of $9.8 billion. The acquisition of these state-of-the-art aircraft is aimed at meeting the air transport needs of the future and will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by the Air Force. The delivery of the first aircraft is expected to commence from late 2027.
The expanded fleet size will bring significant benefits to the Australian industry, providing opportunities to construct facilities and infrastructure and sustain the aircraft. The C-130J Hercules is a crucial asset for the Australian Defence Force, playing a pivotal role in the deployment of personnel, equipment, and humanitarian supplies. The iconic aircraft is regularly utilized in search and rescue missions, disaster relief operations, and medical evacuations.