1. Deal Overview: Sale of C‑130J Aircraft to Türkiye
The United Kingdom and the Republic of Türkiye have finalised a defence export agreement under which 12 ex‑Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin C‑130J Super Hercules aircraft will be transferred to the Turkish Air Force. (Ir-Ia)
- The aircraft were retired from RAF service after decades of use and stored in the UK following the Hercules fleet’s retirement in mid‑2023. (Ir-Ia)
- Türkiye confirmed the deal as part of a broader package of defence exports signed in 2025. (Turkish Minute)
The UK government also said the contract contributes over £550 million (~$742 million) in value to the UK defence sector (including Marshall Aerospace’s work), helping to safeguard around 1,400 jobs — particularly in Cambridge where maintenance and upgrades are underway. (Turkish Minute)
2. Modernization & Maintenance Programme
Before entering Turkish service, the 12 aircraft are undergoing comprehensive maintenance and modernization at Marshall Aerospace facilities in the UK, under a multi‑year contract with Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence: (Ir-Ia)
Modernization Efforts Include:
- Overhaul and systems upgrades to meet Turkish operational requirements.
- Replacement of centre wing boxes — a key structural component ensuring the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
- Upgraded avionics and equipment modifications tailored for Turkish use.
- Pre‑delivery checks, scheduled maintenance, and tooling upgrades to ensure fleet readiness. (Ir-Ia)
Support & Sustainment
The programme also includes:
- Spare parts and tooling provision, ensuring long‑term sustainment.
- Personnel training to enable the Turkish Air Force to build indigenous support expertise for the C‑130J platform after delivery. (Ir-Ia)
3. Integration into Turkish Service
According to official Turkish defence sources and industry reporting:
- The aircraft will be gradually introduced into Turkish Air Force inventory, beginning once modernization works are complete. (Ir-Ia)
- Turkish Air Force personnel are participating in type certification and training activities in the UK ahead of delivery. (Türkiye Today)
- Once operational, the C‑130J fleet will expand Türkiye’s tactical airlift capability and complement existing aircraft, including Turkish C‑130B/E models that have been part of the air force for decades. (Ir-Ia)
This expansion helps bridge the capability gap between older transport aircraft and strategic assets like the Airbus A400M, allowing Türkiye to sustain transport operations across NATO missions, humanitarian responses, and domestic defence tasks. (Ir-Ia)
4. About the C‑130J Super Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C‑130J Super Hercules is one of the world’s most widely used tactical airlift aircraft, known for its rugged performance and versatility:
- Powered by four Rolls‑Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops and equipped with a modern digital glass cockpit, the C‑130J represents a significant technological improvement over older C‑130 models. (Ir-Ia)
- The specific variant being transferred — the C‑130J‑30 — has a stretched fuselage, giving it greater cargo capacity and flexibility for troop and equipment transport. (Ir-Ia)
- Its roles include troop transport, cargo movement, humanitarian aid, medical evacuation, aerial refuelling support and more — versatile missions that boost overall air mobility for the Turkish Air Force. (Ir-Ia)
5. Strategic and Industrial Significance
🇬🇧 UK Defence Exports and Industry
The C‑130J sale is part of a record year for UK defence exports in 2025, which included major deals with Türkiye for fighter jets and other systems. It reflects:
- Strong industrial cooperation between the UK and Türkiye.
- A role for UK firms like Marshall Aerospace in global defence supply chains.
- Sustaining skilled jobs in high‑tech aviation maintenance. (Turkish Minute)
🇹🇷 Türkiye Air Mobility
For Türkiye, acquiring these aircraft:
- Modernises and expands its airlift capability.
- Reduces pressure on its aging C‑130B/E fleet and preserves A400M hours by allocating appropriate missions to the C‑130J platform. (Ir-Ia)
- Enhances operational readiness for NATO and bilateral missions. (Ir-Ia)
Comments & Wider Reaction
Industry analysts see the deal as a practical solution — buying proven, modern aircraft from a trusted ally and upgrading them for new service — rather than starting fresh with new builds. This helps Türkiye get value for money while retaining interoperability with NATO partners. (Ir-Ia)
On the UK side, officials have framed such exports as part of a broader strategy to support allied capabilities and strengthen defence industrial cooperation, alongside economic benefits at home through jobs and export revenues. (Turkish Minute)
In Summary
Sale confirmed: Türkiye is acquiring 12 former RAF C‑130J Super Hercules aircraft. (Ir-Ia)
Modernization: Comprehensive overhaul, wing box replacement and system upgrades are being done in the UK before delivery. (Ir-Ia)
Integration: Turkish crews are preparing for type certification and phased introduction into service. (Türkiye Today)
Strategic impact: The deal boosts Türkiye’s tactical airlift capability and reinforces UK–Türkiye defence cooperation, while also contributing to UK defence export success. (Turkish Minute)
Here’s a case‑study‑oriented, in‑depth look at the UK’s C‑130J aircraft sale and accompanying modernisation/support programme for Türkiye — including how the deal was structured, how the upgrades are being handled, and reactions from both governments and the defence industry:
Case Study 1 — The C‑130J Sale Agreement: What Was Sold and Why
Background of the Aircraft Transfer
In 2025, Türkiye finalised an agreement with the United Kingdom to acquire 12 ex‑Royal Air Force Lockheed Martin C‑130J Super Hercules aircraft — retired from RAF service and handed over for modernisation and eventual entry into Turkish service. These are extended‑fuselage tactical transport aircraft (often C‑130J‑30 variants), designed for cargo, troop movement, airlift and other support roles. (turn0search0, turn0search6)
- The aircraft had been withdrawn from the RAF fleet and stored at UK facilities.
- Turkey’s Air Force fleet already operates legacy Hercules models (C‑130B/E), but these newer J models offer improved range, avionics and reliability, helping modernise tactical airlift capacity. (turn0search6)
- The deal was part of broader UK–Türkiye defence cooperation including other export agreements. (The Times)
Outcome: Twelve capable airlifters are being transitioned into a newer tactical transport role for Türkiye, bridging operational gaps and complementing larger airlifters like the A400M. (Defense News)
Case Study 2 — Modernisation & Support Programme (Marshall Aerospace)
Role of Marshall Aerospace
The modernisation and sustainment contract is a cornerstone of how the aircraft are being prepared for Turkish service:
What the programme covers
- Entry‑into‑service maintenance, overhaul and modernisation of all 12 C‑130Js prior to induction into Türkiye’s air fleet.
- Centre wing box replacements on each airframe — a major structural renewal ensuring airworthiness and longevity.
- Provision of scheduled maintenance, spares and tooling for long‑term support.
- Training support to help the Turkish Air Force build indigenous maintenance capability on the C‑130J platform.
- Assistance with entry‑into‑service approvals and technical integration with Turkish systems. (Default)
Marshall Aerospace partnered with the UK Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Export & Sales division, acting as the Principal Retail Partner for the resale and leading the preparation work at its Cambridge facility in the UK. (Marshall Group)
Training & Capability Building
A key part of the contract is training Turkish personnel so that, over time, maintenance and sustainment can shift to domestic facilities — helping build national technical expertise on the C‑130J type. (Default)
Industry Commentary:
Marshall’s CEO described the contract as keeping Türkiye’s tactical airlift “mission‑ready and mission‑capable,” and highlighted the company’s standing in the global C‑130 support community, having worked with several operators on similar programmes. (Marshall Group)
Case Study 3 — Turkish Integration and Strategic Impact
Integration into Turkish Service
Once modernisation work is complete in the UK, the aircraft will enter service with the Turkish Air Force in phases, transitioning Turkey toward a more capable and modern airlift fleet. Maintenance training delivered during the UK phase is designed to support future domestic sustainment and operations. (Türkiye Today)
Strategic Rationale
- Relieves operational burden on older Hercules variants (C‑130B/E) and Airbus A400M aircraft. (Defense News)
- Improves strategic and tactical air mobility — critical for domestic logistics, NATO deployments, humanitarian missions or medical evacuations.
Comments & Reactions
🇹🇷 Turkish Defence Perspective
Turkish defence officials have emphasised that the modernised C‑130J fleet will enhance their air mobility and relieve ageing transport platforms. News coverage from Ankara noted that the transition is part of broader efforts to strengthen Türkiye’s air force readiness and allow future local maintenance and MRO capabilities to be developed. (Türkiye Today)
Many Turkish social media and defence community voices see the acquisition as a pragmatic uplift — getting a large fleet of proven tactical transports at lower cost than buying new aircraft while accessing support and training from a trusted partner. (Reddit)
UK Industry and Export Community
UK defence industry observers noted that the sale and support package safeguards jobs in British aerospace and illustrates how UK defence exports can focus both on equipment transfer and technical follow‑through, benefiting suppliers like Marshall Aerospace. It also cements broader military‑industrial ties between the UK and Türkiye as part of wider defence collaboration. (The Times)
Defence analysts point out that while the Hercules airframe is older, the C‑130J remains a widely respected and versatile platform globally, making it an attractive option for countries seeking to bridge capability gaps quickly and cost‑effectively. (Default)
Broader Context & Lessons
Legacy Fleet Management
This programme highlights how second‑hand but modernised aircraft can offer a cost‑effective solution for military capability upgrades — especially when paired with structured support contracts and training components. (Air Data News)
Industrial Cooperation
The Marshall Aerospace partnership is illustrative of how industrial cooperation can extend beyond simple sales to include training, logistics and long‑term sustainment — helping recipient countries gradually build local expertise. (Default)