Lockheed Martin has secured a direct commercial sale from the Republic of the Philippines Department of National Defense for three new C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters.

Lockheed will deliver the aircraft will to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in 2026. PAF crews will operate the C-130J-30, the stretch version of the C-130J that offers an extra 5m of cargo space.

“Philippine Air Force crews have long demonstrated what the C-130 is designed to do: go everywhere – in any condition – to deliver hope and help where it’s needed most,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business. “It is an honour to continue serving the Philippines with the most advanced and capable C-130 ever produced. The Super Hercules provides the Philippine Air Force with unmatched interoperability and capability, supporting challenging mission requirements across the Pacific region.”

The Philippines is a long-standing C-130 operator, receiving its first Hercules in the early 1970s. To date, 26 operators in 22 nations are part of the C-130J global fleet. Lockheed Martin has delivered over 525 C-130J Super Hercules in 10 mission variants.

Image: Todd R. McQueen

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