The Canadian federal government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a company based in British Columbia. Coulson Aviation will convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. These Hercules planes are part of a fleet of 12 that were retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two to be displayed publicly at bases and museums.
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, unveiled the conditional sale of the decommissioned aircraft in Abbotsford, B.C., during an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will provide the military assets with a new purpose.
The sale is seen as a significant move given the global demand for firefighting capabilities due to the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed optimism about having the first aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. The conversion of the Hercules aircraft is expected to occur at various locations, including Port Alberni, Abbotsford, and Kelowna.
The C-130H Hercules aircraft have been a vital part of the military’s airlift operations for many years, serving various roles from transporting personnel to conducting search-and-rescue missions. They are now being replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft.
The converted Hercules aircraft will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting efforts globally. The conversion process for each aircraft is estimated to require approximately 20,000 work hours. Both Coulson Aviation and the government have chosen not to disclose the total sale price due to confidentiality reasons related to the commercial agreement.
While the government is not always able to sell off old military assets, the sale of these Hercules aircraft represents a strategic decision to repurpose valuable resources. This sale sets a precedent for maximizing the utility of retired military equipment and addressing critical needs in firefighting operations worldwide.
