Negotiations between Turkey and the United Kingdom over the transfer of retired Royal Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft have concluded with the confirmation that 12 aircraft have been handed over for maintenance and modernisation under a bilateral arrangement.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the UK Defence Journal, “We can confirm that 12 UK C-130J aircraft have been transferred to a private company for maintenance and modernisation as part of an agreement with Türkiye. The UK has a strong defence relationship with Türkiye building on years of industrial ties between our two countries.”
According to Turkish defence officials, the aircraft have already been delivered to the relevant company for overhaul and upgrade work.
The Turkish Air Force currently operates 19 C-130B/E variants, several of which have undergone avionics and structural upgrades under the Erciyes modernisation programme managed by TAI. The C-130J, powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, features digital flight controls, a two-crew glass cockpit, and improved fuel efficiency compared to earlier models.
The platform remains one of the most widely used tactical transport aircraft globally, capable of airlifting troops, vehicles, and humanitarian supplies, as well as performing aerial refuelling and special operations support.
For the UK, the transfer marks the final stage of the Hercules fleet’s withdrawal following its retirement from RAF service in June 2023. The aircraft had served for more than two decades, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous humanitarian missions.
Soon they will sell the whitehall offices.
Please…as soon as possible.
Wouldn’t have they been useful in reserve?
and keep crew and engineers current…there is no reserve
‘Reserve’ is no longer in the MOD dictionary; however, ‘exposed’ is still listed.
God, the decline of the Armed Forces at the expense of HMT is a national disgrace. A perfectly good airlift capability sold on the cheap that the RAF are still in dire need of. Enough to make a grown man cry.
Same story over and over. Harrier was still the worst.
The tories were a disgrace to defence
I hate the spin “retired.”
No. CUT.
Another sunset capability that will now be used quite happily elsewhere, while the falling to bits, never putting to see again Ocean, Albion, Bulwark will serve for years in Brazil.
Healey, or HM opposition who sanctioned this, of course won’t be put on the spot over this by any journalist.
Even a commitment by HMG to buy a batch of Atlas, as declared countless times, would help.
But seeming as this government are as reliable as a chocolate teapot regards defence, I don’t see much hope of that.
Does anyone?
Well said, Sir.
couldn’t have put it better myself Daniele! I patiently wait for a commitment to buy more A400s.
Pension age will come at some point….
Don’t think it’s Harley’s fault, the decision was made by the previous government
This is a particularly bad move, it’s not even like there is any new capability to take over, the A400 simply is more strategic than it is tactical.
How come we can sell stuff off to other countries who I assume find them still both cost effective and useful? If they (and various ships sold over the years) are still economically viable for others to use, surely they are also viable for us!
Yep!!! Wholeheartedly agree.
Or just plain scrapped like the tornado fleet that had half its life left.
For ships I wouldn’t confuse the needs of littoral navies and blue water navies. Not sure Brazilian or Chilean vessels venture too far from port