PAF Acquires Three C-130J-30

20 October 2023 

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has announced the acquisition of three (3) new C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters powered by 4 Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines for the Republic of the Philippines through the Department of National Defense, with option order for two (2) additional frames.  

The acquisition was through a Direct Commercial Sale valued at US$376 million (P22.2 billion).

“The procurement is part of the Second Horizon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. The project was awarded to Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace, arms defense, information security, and technology corporation,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement. 

The first C-130J delivery is scheduled in July 2026, the second one in October of the same year, and the third plane shall come in January 2027.

The Philippines is a long-standing C-130 operator, receiving its first Hercules in 1976. 

The PAF currently operates a mixed fleet of legacy C-130s to support critical humanitarian, military and natural disaster relief missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region. 

The C-130J-30, first delivered in 1999, is the stretch version of the C-130J which offers an additional 15 feet (5 meters) of cargo space. 

The new Super Hercules' increased power, range, integration, space and capability will support PAF crews in meeting complex and evolving tactical mission requirements.

Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 525 C-130J Super Hercules in 10 mission variants. There are 26 operators in 22 nations which operate the C-130J global fleet do date.