The Canadian government has announced the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company, for conversion into firefighting planes. These aircraft are part of a group of 12 that were decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two slated for display at various 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 praised the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will breathe new life into these military assets.
The move comes in response to a global shortage of water bombers due to the rise in severe and frequent wildfires worldwide. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence that the first converted aircraft could be operational by the next wildfire season. While their goal is to have two aircraft ready next year, the conversion process may outpace the availability of aircraft.
Coulson Aviation will handle the conversion and operation of the aircraft at their own expense, offering firefighting services under government contracts. The conversions will take place in Port Alberni, B.C., and potentially in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
The CC-130H Hercules aircraft have long been crucial to Canada’s military airlift capabilities, serving in various roles such as personnel and cargo transport, search-and-rescue missions, and air-to-air refueling. The government has since upgraded to the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft.
The 10 Hercules aircraft sold to Coulson Aviation will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying significant amounts of fire retardant and can be deployed globally. The conversion process for each aircraft is estimated to require around 20,000 hours of work.
Both the company and the government have chosen not to disclose the total sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement. It’s noted that the disposal of old military assets by the Canadian government is not always an option, as some assets are utilized until the end of their service lives, necessitating eventual disposal.
For instance, once Canada phases out its four Victoria-class submarines in the coming years, they are likely to be decommissioned.