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 will convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. This sale is part of a fleet of 12 Hercules aircraft retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two to be put on public display at bases and museums.
The conditional sale of the retired aircraft was disclosed by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr in Abbotsford, B.C., during an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will provide a new purpose for these military assets.
The global demand for water bombers has increased due to the rise in intense and frequent wildfires. In response to this, Coulson Aviation aims to have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. While their timeline suggests two aircraft could be converted next year, the actual process may be expedited.
Coulson Aviation will cover the expenses for converting and operating the aircraft, offering their firefighting services under contract to various governments. The conversion work will primarily take place in Port Alberni, B.C., with additional possibilities in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
The C-130H Hercules aircraft have been a vital part of the military’s airlift capabilities for many years, being utilized for various operations such as personnel transportation, cargo transport, search-and-rescue missions, and air-to-air refuelling. These aircraft are 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 for firefighting missions worldwide. The conversion process for each aircraft is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of work.
The exact sale price for the aircraft remains confidential, as both the company and the government have chosen not to disclose this information due to commercial agreements. In some cases, the Canadian government must dispose of old military assets when they reach the end of their service lives, as will likely be the case with the retirement of the Victoria-class submarines in the coming years.
