Turkey is negotiating to acquire 12 second-hand C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), the Dutch aviation society Scramble website reported, a move that is expected to boost Ankara’s military transport capabilities.
The RAF retired these transport aircraft in 2022, initially offering them to Greece. Athens rejected the deal after its technical experts determined the aircraft would require extensive and costly overhauls due to their age and condition, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Ankara agreed to buy the 12 retired aircraft for a sum of $740 million, according to media reports.
The C-130J Super Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, entered service in 1999 and represents a major upgrade over previous models with enhanced avionics and performance capabilities.
The aircraft, widely used for military transport worldwide, can perform multiple roles including logistics support, airborne operations, humanitarian aid and emergency medical evacuations.
Britain’s C-130J fleet saw extensive service in Iraq and Afghanistan before retirement, conducting combat support missions and medical evacuations. The aircraft features advanced defensive systems, including radar warning receivers, missile detection systems and countermeasures for increased survivability in hostile environments.
This enhanced version of the C-130 Hercules is expected to play a key role in Turkey’s strategic airlift and defense operations, particularly in joint missions with NATO and allied forces.
Turkey has long operated the C-130 platform, with its air force already utilizing a fleet of C-130B and C-130E models. These aircraft, stationed in the central province of Kayseri with the 222nd Air Transport Squadron, have been the backbone of Turkey’s tactical and strategic airlift operations.
Turkey is currently engaged in the ERCIYES modernization program, a significant effort to upgrade 19 C-130s, including 13 C-130Es and 6 C-130Bs, at the 2nd Air Supply Maintenance Center in Kayseri. The modernization includes the replacement of avionics systems, the integration of the National Flight Management System and the addition of advanced navigation and communication systems.
Turkey’s airlift capacity has been further enhanced by its increasing focus on interoperability with NATO and allied forces. The integration of the Link-16 tactical data link network has ensured that the C-130 fleet can communicate and share data seamlessly with other aircraft, including E-7T airborne early warning and control aircraft and modernized F-16s, providing a crucial edge in joint operations.
The 12 second-hand C-130J transport aircraft are expected to support Turkey’s aging fleet of C-130 transport planes and alleviate the operational burden on the 10 A400M transport aircraft currently in service.
The C-130J aircraft are anticipated to serve alongside the existing C-130E and C-130B aircraft, which have undergone the ERCIYES avionics modernization, as part of the Turkish Air Force’s transport fleet for many years to come.
In addition to the C-130 Hercules negotiations, Turkey and the UK are engaged in broader defense talks that include discussions over Eurofighter Typhoon jets. These discussions gained momentum following Germany’s approval to export the aircraft to Turkey.
Ankara’s shift in defense priorities has seen a reduction in its planned purchase of F-16 fighter jets, scaling down from $23 billion to an estimated $6-7 billion. The focus has now turned toward Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter program and the acquisition of Eurofighter jets.
The discussions extend beyond aviation. Turkey has also proposed the sale of its Hürjet training aircraft to the RAF. The Hürjet, recently inspected by the UK defense secretary, is being considered as a replacement for the RAF’s aging BAE Systems Hawk T2 aircraft.
The Hawk T2, used for training fast jet pilots, has faced criticism from Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton for being outdated and unreliable, causing delays and requiring some pilots to train abroad.
Furthermore, the two countries are exploring potential collaborations in land systems. Turkey has offered Nurol Makina armored vehicles to the British Army, with the possibility of localized production in the UK to strengthen bilateral defense ties.
This growing cooperation reflects Turkey’s expanding role as both a buyer and a seller in the global defense market, with an eye on bolstering its air and ground capabilities while enhancing partnerships with NATO allies like the UK.