The Canadian federal government announced on Friday that it will be selling 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company. Coulson Aviation plans to convert these aircraft into firefighting planes. These 10 planes are part of a fleet of 12 that were retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force in January, with the remaining two Hercules aircraft set to be displayed publicly at 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 described the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will breathe new life into these military assets. He highlighted the positive impact of the sale on the aerospace industry and firefighting capabilities globally.
The demand for firefighting aircraft has surged worldwide due to the escalating intensity and frequency of wildfires. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence in converting the first aircraft for the upcoming wildfire season. Although the company aims to convert two Hercules aircraft by the following year, the process may outpace the timeline due to faster aircraft delivery.
Coulson Aviation will cover the conversion and operational expenses of these aircraft and intends to offer firefighting services under government contracts. The conversion work will take place primarily in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional locations in Abbotsford and Kelowna. Fuhr emphasized the urgency in deploying these aircraft for firefighting operations and expediting their transition to end-users.
The C-130H aircraft, which have been integral to the military’s airlift capabilities for many years, are being replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft. The 10 Hercules aircraft set for sale will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant and providing firefighting support globally. The conversion process for each aircraft is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of work.
Both Coulson Aviation and the government have declined to disclose the total sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement. The sale of outdated military assets is a common practice, with disposal being necessary once their service life ends. For instance, Canada is expected to scrap its four Victoria-class submarines once they are retired in the coming decade.