The Canadian government announced on Friday that it will be selling 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company. Coulson Aviation plans to convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. This sale comes after the Royal Canadian Air Force retired a total of 12 Hercules aircraft in January, with the remaining two set to be displayed publicly at bases and museums.
The sale was revealed by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, during an event in Abbotsford, B.C. Fuhr described the sale as a top-notch divestment project that will breathe new life into these military assets. He emphasized the importance of bolstering firefighting capabilities globally, citing the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires. Fuhr highlighted the positive impact this sale will have on the aerospace industry and job creation.
With wildfires on the rise worldwide, there is a growing demand for water bombers. In Canada alone, over 4,500 wildfires have already occurred this year. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence that the company will have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. While the conversion process is expected to take time, Coulson Aviation is committed to covering all expenses involved in the conversion and operation of these aircraft.
The C-130H Hercules aircraft have been a vital part of Canada’s military airlift operations for many years, fulfilling roles such as personnel transport, cargo delivery, search-and-rescue missions, and air-to-air refueling. They have now been replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft. The 10 Hercules aircraft being sold will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant to combat wildfires globally.
The exact sale price of the aircraft remains confidential, as both the government and Coulson Aviation have opted not to disclose this information. It was mentioned that the conversion of a single aircraft is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of work. In instances where military assets reach the end of their service life, the government may have to sell or dispose of them, as will be the case with Canada’s retiring Victoria-class submarines in the coming years.