The government announced on Friday that it will be selling 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a company based in British Columbia. These aircraft will be converted into firefighting planes by Coulson Aviation. The Royal Canadian Air Force retired a total of 12 Hercules aircraft in January, with the remaining two to be displayed at public bases and museums.
The announcement of the conditional sale was made by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr in Abbotsford, B.C., during an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as a top-notch divestment initiative that will provide a new purpose for the military assets. He emphasized the positive impact of the sale on the aerospace industry and the much-needed boost in firefighting capabilities globally.
The demand for water bombers is on the rise worldwide due to the escalating intensity and frequency of wildfires. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence that the first converted aircraft could be operational for the upcoming wildfire season. While the conversion process may take time, the company aims to swiftly deploy the aircraft for firefighting operations.
Coulson Aviation will cover the expenses for converting and operating the aircraft, offering their services to governments under contract. The conversion work will take place primarily in Port Alberni, B.C., and potentially in Abbotsford and Kelowna. Fuhr stressed the urgency to swiftly move the aircraft to their designated roles to maximize their firefighting potential.
The C-130H Hercules aircraft had been a significant part of the military’s airlift capabilities for many years, fulfilling roles in personnel transport, cargo transportation, search-and-rescue missions, and aerial refueling. The government has now transitioned to the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft to replace the retired Hercules fleet.
The 10 Hercules aircraft slated for sale will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting missions worldwide. Each aircraft conversion is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of work. Both the government and Coulson Aviation have declined to disclose the total sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement.
While the disposal of old military assets is a necessary process, Ottawa faces limitations in selling certain assets, leading to eventual scrapping. The upcoming retirement of Canada’s four Victoria-class submarines is expected to follow a similar fate once their service lives come to an end.