Philippines Air Force to get three new C-130J-30 Super Hercules.

According to the Asia Pacific Defense Journal on October 18, 2023, the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) has confirmed its order of three new C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The DND's issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to Lockheed Martin signifies the initiation of the contract to supply these advanced aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The PAF is set to receive the C-130J-30 variant, an extended version of the Super Hercules, boasting a 15-foot longer fuselage compared to the standard model.

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The Philippines is the second country, after Indonesia, to incorporate the C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft into its military fleet (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

According to official sources, the delivery timeline for these new aircraft has been established. The first C-130J Super Hercules will be in the hands of the Philippine Air Force by July 2026, followed by the second in October 2026, and the third arriving by January 2027.

This procurement plan has been in the works since 2019, forming part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. Initially, the program aimed to fund the acquisition of five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Fiscal Year 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays. The procurement process was subsequently restarted in Fiscal Year 2022, albeit with a reduced scope, covering only three aircraft, with options for more. Funding was finally allocated in June 2022, and the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 2022.

The formal contract between the DND and Lockheed Martin was officially signed on February 9, 2023. However, it was not until June 5, 2023, that the Notice to Proceed was issued, marking the green light for the project's implementation.

The acquisition of these C-130J Super Hercules aircraft positions the Philippines as the second country, after Indonesia, to incorporate these advanced transport aircraft into its military fleet. As of now, the PAF operates four legacy C-130H/T Hercules aircraft and has a pending delivery of one more C-130H, which was procured from US excess defense articles (EDA). Additionally, the United States government has pledged to transfer more C-130H aircraft as part of its military assistance to the Philippines.

The C-130J-30 Super Hercules, also designated as CC-130J, is a stretch variant of the C-130J, known for its reliability in airlift operations. The extension of 15 feet in the fuselage significantly enhances its cargo capacity, enabling the transport of two more pallets of equipment in its cargo compartment. This aircraft's performance characteristics include a maximum ceiling of 26,000 ft (8,000 m), a top speed of 410 mph (660 km/h), a maximum allowable payload of 44,000 pounds (19,958 kg), and a range of up to 2,417 miles (3,147 m) with a maximum normal payload.