Australia will purchase 20 new C-130J Hercules to both replace and expand its current fleet of 12.

The new aircraft are expected to arrive from late 2027 and will continue to be operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in NSW.

It comes after the Federal Government revealed it would make the purchase in November last year, though it didn’t confirm the size of the prospective fleet.

Making the announcement, Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, hailed Lockheed Martin-built aircraft as a “reliable workhorse” in roles from humanitarian operations to conflict zones.

“Having 20 aircraft, up from 12, will mean more opportunities for local industry to sustain the aircraft, creating more Australian jobs,” he said.

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