New Zealand has received the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters from Lockheed Martin. The C-130Js, purchased through a Foreign Military Sale agreement with the U.S. Air Force to replace the New Zealand Defence Force’s C-130H planes, will be operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland. New Zealand has used the C-130H since 1965 for first-response operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the FMS, the Ministry of Defence and NZDF are working with the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to organize training for RNZAF pilots.
According to Lockheed, the C-130J represents one of the most advanced configurations of the Super Hercules, offering operational readiness with the greatest ease of transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, enhanced survivability, and low life cycle costs with significant fuel savings. The C-130J is also designed to be interoperable with NATO and global air forces.
Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s air mobility and maritime missions, said the RNZAF’s new C-130J fleet will continue supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations “while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements.”