Multibillion Dollar Investmen in new C-130J Hercules Aircraft

Newsroom

24/07/2023

Royal Australian Air Force Craftsman Aldrin Sarili operates a forklift loaded with supplies for stranded communities onto a Hercules C-130 aircraft during Operation NSW Flood Assist. *** Local Caption *** Farm communities stranded by recent floods on Lord Howe Island received an essential supply drop of flour and milk via Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft. The Australian Defence Force has established Operation NSW FLOOD ASSIST as part of the Australian Governments response to the NSW flood emergency. ADF personnel are removing debris, clearing roads to provide access, and clearing other flood and storm debris to support access to critical infrastructure or essential services. Enduring activities cover general clean up duties, moving stores and supporting the provision of supplies to isolated communities. Defence has range of capabilities to potentially support state/territory led response relief and recovery operations.

The Albanese Government will purchase 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force for $9.8 billion. This will provide the Air Force with state of the art C-130 Hercules to meet the air transport needs of the future.

The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by Air Force with delivery of the first aircraft expected from late 2027.

There will be significant benefits for Australian industry from the expanded fleet size, with opportunities to construct facilities and infrastructure and to sustain the aircraft.

The Australian Defence Force relies on the C-130J Hercules aircraft for the deployment of personnel, equipment and humanitarian supplies. The iconic aircraft is regularly used in search and rescue missions, disaster relief and medical evacuation.

The C-130J has been involved in almost every major Defence operation in recent decades, from Bougainville assistance and Timor-Leste peacekeeping through to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. More recently the aircraft supported Australia’s response to COVID-19 in the region, delivering vaccines and medical supplies, as well bushfire and flood response.

The C-130J Hercules are made by Lockheed Martin and are being purchased from the United States. The aircraft will continue to be operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in NSW.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“The C-130J Hercules is an important capability for our defence force, but also for Australia as a nation.

“From bushfire and flood emergencies across the country, the delivery of crucial supplies to the region during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than two decades supporting peacekeeping operations, this has and will continue to be a crucial asset.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the ADF is equipped with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe, and this targeted expansion of the fleet size will do just that.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Government is ensuring the Australian Defence Force is equipped with brand new C-130J Hercules aircraft, and more of them, to respond to the wide range of challenges our nation will face in the future.

“Since 1999, the C-130J Hercules has served Australia across our region and beyond, proving to be 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. There’ll also be jobs associated with infrastructure redevelopments at RAAF Base Richmond.”

Authorised by The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Australia.