The Canadian federal government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company. Coulson Aviation will convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. The Royal Canadian Air Force had retired a total of 12 Hercules aircraft in January, with the remaining two to be displayed publicly at various bases and museums.
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, revealed the conditional sale of the recently decommissioned aircraft at an event in Abbotsford, B.C., coinciding with an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that would provide a new purpose for these military assets.
The sale of these aircraft is seen as a significant move due to the increasing demand for firefighting resources worldwide. With numerous countries facing severe wildfires, the need for water bombers has grown substantially. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence in having the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season, aiming to swiftly enhance firefighting capabilities.
The conversion process will be conducted at Coulson Aviation’s expense, with plans to offer firefighting services under contract to governments. The conversions will primarily occur in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional locations in Abbotsford and Kelowna. The C-130H aircraft, previously pivotal in military airlift operations, will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying significant amounts of retardant for firefighting missions worldwide.
The exact sale price of the 10 Hercules aircraft remains undisclosed, as it is deemed confidential information under the commercial agreement between the company and the government. The transition to the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft marks the retirement of the older Hercules models, reflecting a strategic shift in military capabilities.
While the sale of retired military assets is not always feasible, the disposal of such assets becomes necessary once they reach the end of their service life. This sale exemplifies a proactive approach to repurposing military equipment for critical firefighting needs, addressing the global demand for enhanced firefighting resources.