The RAAF has been operating Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft since 1999, with twelve examples delivered from 1999-2001. With a 30-year life of type, this fleet flown by of No. 37 Squadron is therefore due to retire in FY2030-31.
The air force has been contemplating what to replace the hardworking C-130J fleet with under Project Air 7404 Phase 1, and the initial conclusion is more of the same!
Thus it was, the Department of Defence announced on 1 November 2022 the selection of the C-130J-30 again for the RAAF’s future medium airlift requirement. The public has not been notified of the number of aircraft needed, but it is likely to be greater than those already in service. Defence said it was ‘expanding’ its fleet, and some expect up to 24 aircraft could be sought.
Competitors for this airlift requirement likely included the Airbus A400M, Embraer C-390 from Brazil and Kawasaki C-2 from Japan. Australia noted it had ‘approached a number of aircraft manufacturers and received information on all available medium air mobility options. The relative merits of each aircraft type have been assessed against Australia’s capability requirements.’
Important criteria for the RAAF’s replacement aircraft were that it be ‘low-risk, certified-in-all-roles, proven, mature and affordable’. The C-130J obviously ticked all those boxes in the RAAF’s eyes, with the added advantage that aircrews and maintainers do not have to be retrained on a new platform when older aircraft are withdrawn.
The C-130J slots in between the smaller C-27J Spartan and much larger C-17A Globemaster III. In fact, an expanded fleet of C-130Js may well permit retirement of the C-27J fleet, which has not performed as well as expected due to availability and configuration issues.
Government approval for a repeat C-130J acquisition is expected this year, but it is clear that other contenders have not given up. After all, both the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Luftwaffe have brought A400Ms to Avalon Airshow 2023!
It is unclear whether Canberra has already initiated a Foreign Military Sale. However, it is highly unlikely any decision will be made till after the Defence Strategic Review is published and digested.
One other thing going for the C-130 is that an aerial refuelling variant is available in the form of the KC-130, as used by the US Marine Corps. If the RAAF opted for a mixed buy of C-130Js and KC-130Js, it could enhance its air-to-air refuelling capability at the same time.
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