The C-130J is operated by all three nations, creating scope for cross-servicing of the aircraft.

The air forces of Australia, New Zealand, and the USA have entered a pact to enhance cooperation concerning the Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport, a type all three operate.

The agreement sets the stage for further cooperation around the platform in areas such as interchangeability, cross-servicing, and logistics support, says the US Air Force (USAF).

The pact builds on a 2019 agreement between the USAF and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) that covered cross-maintenance on the Boeing C-17 strategic transport, which both air forces operate, and the C-130J.

Following that agreement, “notable successes” included USAF maintainers repairing a RAAF C-17 in Alaska and RAAF maintainers repairing US aircraft in Australia.

Cirium, an aviation analytics company, indicates that the USAF is the world’s largest operator of C-130Js, with 304 examples in service.

The RAAF operates 12 examples, but these will be replaced by 20 new C-130Js. The Royal New Zealand Air Force is a relative newcomer to the C-130J. It operates five examples delivered in late 2024.

“We continue to work seamlessly with our closest allies and partners and signing this [letter of understanding] further enhances our operational effectiveness and contributes to collective deterrence through readiness and integration across our platforms,” says Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, chief of the RAAF.

“This agreement boosts our C-130J cross-servicing interoperability and logistics support for all three of our nations.”

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