Philippines Orders Three New C-130J Tactical Airlifters
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense has announced that it will be purchasing three new C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters.
The procurement of the C-130Js is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program’s Second Horizon. “The additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our Air Force with greater operational flexibility,” said DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong in a statement released on 17 October. “These features will empower our PAF to meet the demands of the AFP’s tactical missions more effectively.”
The C-130J-30 is the “stretch” version of the C-130J, with an additional 15 feet (5 meters) of cargo space providing room to hold larger payloads.
The Philippine Air Force has operated several C-130 variants since the early 1970s. They are used for a range of missions from transportation of personnel and equipment, to humanitarian aid and disaster relief, with a specially modified C-130T also serving in the maritime surveillance role.
In a press release, Lockheed Martin stated that the C-130Js were being sold through a Direct Commercial Sale, with all aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026. The schedule appears to have been accelerated from Manila’s announcement, which announced plans for separate aircraft deliveries in July and October 2026, with the final C-130J delivered in January 2027.
“Philippine Air Force crews have long demonstrated what the C-130 is designed to do: go everywhere — in any condition — to deliver hope and help where it’s needed most,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. “It is an honor to continue serving the Philippines with the most advanced and capable C-130 ever produced. The Super Hercules provides the Philippine Air Force with unmatched interoperability and capability, supporting challenging mission requirements across the Pacific region.”
Lockheed claims that the Philippines Air Force’s experience and infrastructure for its current C-130s allows for a “seamless” transition to the C-130J, in addition to granting access to greater interoperability with the 21 other worldwide operators of the C-130J.