The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has received its first C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter. The first of five C-130J on order was officially delivered during a ceremony on 8 August 2024 at manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s facility in Marietta, Georgia.
For almost six decades the RNZAF has operated the C-130H as its main transport type; a fleet of five C-130Hs were delivered from 1965. In 2020, however, New Zealand officials announced their intent to recapitalise the RNZAF’s transport fleet with five C-130J-30 stretched variants via a Foreign Military Sale with the US Air Force (USAF). A joint project team with personnel from New Zealand;s Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force have worked alongside the USAF and Lockheed Martin to manage the aircraft delivery and training programmes.
Crews from 40 Squadron located at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, will operate the new C-130Js.
“From supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations to partnering with allies in military operations, New Zealand’s C-130s are truly a global force for good,” Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The RNZAF’s new C-130J fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements.”
Variants of the C-130J Super Hercules are currently in service with or on order by the armed forces more than 20 countries.
