The Canadian government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company. These aircraft, part of a fleet of 12 decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force in January, will be converted into firefighting planes. The remaining two Hercules aircraft will be showcased in public at various bases and museums.
Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, revealed the conditional sale during an event at Abbotsford, B.C., coinciding with an international air show. Fuhr described the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will provide a new purpose for these military assets.
The aerospace industry is set to benefit from job creation, with an increased firefighting capacity anticipated globally, as highlighted by Fuhr during discussions with The Canadian Press. The rising number of intense wildfires worldwide has led to a shortage of water bombers, with over 4,500 wildfires reported in Canada this year.
CEO Wayne Coulson of Coulson Aviation expressed optimism that the first converted aircraft could be operational in time for the upcoming wildfire season. The company aims to swiftly convert the Hercules aircraft, potentially exceeding its conversion pace compared to the aircraft delivery schedule.
The conversion process will be carried out at Coulson Aviation’s expense, with plans to offer firefighting services under contract to governments. Conversion activities are scheduled to take place in Port Alberni, B.C., as well as potentially in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
The retired C-130H aircraft have been a pivotal component of the military’s airlift operations for many years, utilized for various missions such as personnel transport, cargo delivery, search-and-rescue missions, and aerial refueling. These aircraft have been replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft.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 to combat wildfires globally. The conversion of each aircraft is estimated to require approximately 20,000 work hours.
Both the government and Coulson Aviation declined to disclose the exact sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement. In instances where military assets reach the end of their service life, the government is obligated to dispose of them. The upcoming retirement of Canada’s four Victoria-class submarines is expected to result in their scrappage.