The Canadian government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a company based in British Columbia. Coulson Aviation plans to convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. These Hercules aircraft are part of a fleet of 12 that were decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two slated for public display at various locations.
The conditional sale was revealed by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr during an event in Abbotsford, B.C., coinciding with an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as an exemplary divestment initiative that will breathe new life into these military assets. He highlighted the positive impact on the aerospace industry and the increasing need for firefighting capabilities globally.
As wildfires continue to intensify and spread, countries are facing a shortage of water bombers. Canada alone has witnessed over 4,500 wildfires this year. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence in having the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. Although the conversion process may outpace the timeline, the company aims to swiftly adapt the Hercules aircraft into firefighting tankers.
The conversions will be funded by Coulson Aviation, and the company plans to offer firefighting services under contract to governments. The refurbishment work will be carried out in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional locations in Abbotsford and Kelowna. Fuhr emphasized the urgency of transitioning these aircraft to operational use, highlighting their critical role in firefighting efforts.
The C-130H Hercules aircraft have long been integral to the Canadian military’s transport capabilities, serving various roles from personnel transportation to search-and-rescue missions. They are now being replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft. The 10 Hercules aircraft slated for sale will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying significant amounts of retardant to combat wildfires worldwide, with each conversion estimated to require around 20,000 hours of work.
Both Coulson Aviation and the government have kept the total sale price confidential, citing commercial agreements. The sale of old military assets is not always possible, as some are utilized until the end of their service lives, necessitating disposal. Future retirement of Canada’s Victoria-class submarines is expected to lead to their eventual scrapping.
