The Canadian government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company that will convert them into firefighting planes. These aircraft are part of a group of 12 retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two slated for display at public bases and museums.
The 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 praised the transaction as a top-tier divestment initiative that will provide a new purpose for the military assets.
According to Fuhr, the sale presents a prime opportunity for the aerospace industry to create jobs and address the growing need for firefighting resources globally. He emphasized the importance of bolstering firefighting capabilities in various regions, including Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Amidst a surge in intense wildfires worldwide, countries are grappling with a shortage of water bombers. In Canada alone, over 4,500 wildfires have ravaged the landscape this year, underscoring the urgency for enhanced firefighting capacity.
Coulson Aviation’s CEO Wayne Coulson expressed confidence in the company’s ability to have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. While there is a possibility of converting two Hercules aircraft by next year, the actual pace of conversion may outstrip expectations.
Coulson Aviation will bear the costs of converting and operating the aircraft, offering their services to governments under contract agreements. The conversion process will primarily take place in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional work in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
Fuhr stressed the importance of promptly deploying the aircraft for firefighting duties, highlighting the financial burden of keeping them idle. The C-130H planes have a rich history of serving various military roles, such as personnel transport, cargo carriage, search-and-rescue missions, and air-to-air refueling.
The government has transitioned to the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft, replacing the Hercules fleet. The 10 Hercules aircraft set for sale will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting operations worldwide. Each aircraft’s conversion is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of labor.
Both Coulson Aviation and the government have declined to disclose the sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement. In some cases, the Canadian government must dispose of outdated military assets once they reach the end of their service life, as will likely happen with the retirement of the Victoria-class submarines in the coming decade.