Earlier this week, it was reported that Turkey has finalized the purchase of a number of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that were retired by the United Kingdom after nearly a quarter of a century in service. It is estimated that the first units will arrive in the country in early 2026. The news was revealed by specialized media outlets following consultations with sources familiar with the operation, who, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Ankara is already making preparations to receive the aircraft, which are expected to bolster the Turkish Air Force’s airlift capabilities.

According to the available reports, the acquisition would involve a total of 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft previously operated by the Royal Air Force, which officially retired them in June 2023. If the number is confirmed, it would suggest that three aircraft from the original fleet still remain unsold and are currently stored at Cambridge Airport under the custody of Marshall Aerospace. It remains unclear whether the remaining aircraft are from the C4 or C5 variants, of which 13 and 2 aircraft, respectively, are stored.

It is worth noting that previous reports indicated that the Turkish Air Force was already working on its own service life extension program for its existing C-130 fleet, under the designation ERCIYES. While the full scope of the upgrades has not been disclosed, the program is known to focus on enhancing digital capabilities, integrating new night vision equipment for crew members, and upgrading navigation and collision avoidance systems, among other improvements.

This is particularly relevant, as the potential success of the ERCIYES program could allow the Turkish Air Force to apply similar enhancements to the newly acquired aircraft from the UK, extending their operational life far beyond their originally projected service span. The Royal Air Force had initially planned to sustain up to 14 aircraft through 2035, but later replaced that plan in favor of a fleet composed solely of Airbus A400Ms and Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs.

As for the fate of the remaining stored aircraft, it is also useful to recall that these are not the first retired C-130Js to be sold by the United Kingdom to foreign partners. London has shown a clear intention to monetize these platforms despite their early retirement. Notably, five aircraft were sold to the Bangladesh Air Force through contracts signed in 2018 (covering the first two units) and 2019 (an additional three). These are now primarily used for transport and humanitarian missions. In addition, the UK managed to sell two units to the Royal Bahraini Air Force and one more to the United States, which acquired it to serve as a support aircraft for its “Blue Angels” aerobatic team.

*Images used for illustrative purposes only.

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