List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a multipurpose military transport aircraft used by many states around the world, this is a list of the current and former operators.

Current operators

Military operators:   Current    Former
An Algerian Air Force C-130H
A C-130J with the Bahraini Air Force
Egyptian Air Force C-130H
Hellenic C-130H taking off
Algeria
Algeria – Algerian Air Force[1]:
Argentina
Argentine Air Force[1]
Australia
Royal Australian Air Force[1] 12 C-130H (20 on order)
Austria
Austrian Air Force[1]
  • Lufttransportstaffel (Linz/Horsching) (C-130K)
Bahrain
Royal Bahraini Air Force[1]
Algeria
Bangladesh – Bangladesh Air Force[1]
Algeria
Bolivia – Bolivian Air Force[1]
Botswana
Botswana Air Force[1]
Cameroon
Cameroon Air Force[1]
Canada
Royal Canadian Air Force, 26 in use as of January 2025[1][3]: 32 
  • 7 C-130H Hercules
  • 2 C-130H-30 Hercules
  • 17 C-130J-30 Super Hercules Coulson Aviation, used as airtankers for use on wildfires.[4][5]
Chad
Chad Air Force[1]
Chile
Chilean Air Force[1]
Colombia
Colombian Aerospace Force[1]
Denmark
Royal Danish Air Force[1]
Ecuador
Ecuadorian Air Force[1]
Egypt
Egyptian Air Force:[1]
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Air Force – two aircraft:[1]
France
French Air and Space Force[1]
Gabon
Gabon Air Force[1]
Germany
German Air Force[1]
Greece
Hellenic Air Force[1]
India
Indian Air Force[1]
Indonesia
Indonesian Air Force[1]
Indonesian C-130J-30 Super Hercules with other C-130s
Indonesian C-130J-30 Super Hercules with other C-130s and a Boeing 737-400 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta
  • 31st Air Squadron
  • 32nd Air Squadron
  • 33rd Air Squadron The Indonesian Air Force began operating the C-130 in the 1960s with a fleet of 8 C-130Bs transport aircraft and 2 KC-130B tankers.[8] The aircraft purchase was part of a deal between the United States and Indonesia to secure the release of Allen Lawrence Pope, a CIA pilot captured while conducting covert operations in support of Permesta rebels in the Moluccas.[9] With this purchase Indonesia became the very first foreign operator of the aircraft in the world.[8] Since then, the aircraft has been the backbone of its airlift capabilities, being used to carry both military supplies and humanitarian aid. Over the years the Indonesian Air Force has added newer models to its fleet by acquiring second hand C-130Hs from the Royal Australian Air Force[10] as well as brand new C-130J-30 Super Hercules.[11] The Indonesian Air Force has also suffered the loss of several C-130 aircraft in multiple accidents[12]. This included the loss of one of its two KC-130 tankers, significantly reducing its aerial refueling capability.[13] Currently Indonesia operates a total of 25 C-130 models this includes one KC-130, eight L-100-30s, 12 C-130B/H/H-30s, and five C-130J-30 Super Hercules.[14]
Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force[1]
Iraq
Iraqi Air Force[1]
Israel
Israeli KC-130H Hercules
Israeli Air Force[1]
Italy
Italian Air Force[1]
Japan
Japan Air Self-Defense Force[1]
The Japan Defense Agency ordered the C-130H which was the newest model in 1981. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased 16 in total to replace aging C-1 and YS-11P aircraft. The C-130Hs were received from 1984 to 1998. JASDF C-130Hs were active in Iraq from 2004 to 2008. Two C-130Hs (95-1080 and 95–1083) have been equipped with aerial fuel-receiving and refueling functions, making them of KC-130H standard.[15][16] This provides the JASDF with the ability to refuel the UH-60J search and rescue helicopters of its Air Rescue Wing.
Japan – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force[1]
The JMSDF bought six used KC-130R aircraft that were in storage, having been previously operated by the US Marines. There was some speculation that they may be used as gunships with the Harvest HAWK kit.[17] In actuality they were purchased to replace three aging YS-11M/M-A aircraft of Air Transport Squadron 61. Their air to air refueling equipment was removed, making them of C-130R standard. Corrosion repair was done and the aircraft were refitted with new landing gear supports, cargo door supports and center wing rainbow fittings. In addition to structural modifications, Japan received thirty overhauled Allison T56-A-16 engines and digital cockpit upgrades to include a digital GPS. Regeneration of the first aircraft began in November 2012 and was planned to be completed by Fall 2013.[18] The six C-130Rs were supplied from 2014 to 2016.[19]
Algeria
Jordan
Royal Jordanian Air Force[1]
Kuwait
Kuwait Air Force[1]
Libya
A Libyan C-130H in 2009
Royal Moroccan Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules
Libyan Air Force.[1] Previously operated by the Libyan Air Force under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's rule until 2011. Sixteen C-130H were ordered, but only eight were delivered, and the remaining aircraft embargoed in 1971.[20]
Malaysia
Royal Malaysian Air Force[1]
Mexico
Mexican Air Force[1]
Morocco
Royal Moroccan Air Force[1]
Netherlands
Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force[1]
New Zealand
Royal New Zealand Air Force[1]
Nigeria
Nigerian Air Force[1]
  • 301 Heavy Airlift Group based at Lagos/Murtala Muhammed International Airport (C-130H, C-130H-30).[23] On 26 September 1992 a Nigerian C-130H, serial number 911 crashed three minutes after take-off from Lagos, when three engines failed possibly due to high take-off weight. All 158 people on board were killed, including eight foreign nationals.[24]
Norway
Royal Norwegian Air Force[1]
Oman
Royal Air Force of Oman[1]
Pakistan
Pakistan Air Force[1]
Peru
Peruvian Air Force[1]
Philippines
Philippine Air Force[1]
Poland
Polish Air Force[1]
Portugal
Portuguese Air Force[1]
Qatar
Qatar Emiri Air Force[1]
Romania
Romanian Air Force[1]
Saudi Arabia
Royal Saudi Air Force[1]
Singapore
Republic of Singapore Air Force[1]
South Africa
South African Air Force[1]
South Korea
Republic of Korea Air Force[1]
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Air Force[1]
Sudan
Sudanese Air Force[1]
Sweden
Swedish Air Force[1]
Taiwan
Republic of China Air Force[1]
Thailand
Royal Thai Air Force[1]
Tunisia
Tunisian Air Force[1]
Turkey
Turkish Air Force[1]
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates Air Force[1]
United States
A USAF C-130H Hercules over Denali National Park
Uruguay
Uruguayan Air Force[1]
Venezuela
Venezuelan Air Force[1]

Future operators

Vietnam
Vietnam People's Air Force -The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Vietnam for C-130 Sustainment services and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $100 million.[30]

Former operators

An Afghan Air Force C-130H now inoperable with the fall of Afghanistan in 2021
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Afghan Air Force[31]
Belgium
Belgian Air Component[32] (replaced by the A400M)
Brazil
Brazilian Air Force[33] (replaced by the C-390)
Honduras
Honduras Air Force[34]
Spain
Spanish Air Force[35]
United Kingdom
Royal Air Force – The Royal Air Force began using the C-130K in the mid-1960s designated Hercules C.1. Some aircraft were lengthened and redesignated the C.3. From 1998 they took into service 10 standard C-130J as the Hercules C.4 and 15 lengthened C-130J-30 as the C.5.[36] The decision was made to replace the Hercules with the Airbus A400M Atlas and the last C-130Js were withdrawn from service at end of June 2023 for sale.[37][38]
South Vietnam
South Vietnam Air Force[34]
Vietnam
Vietnam People's Air Force – Captured ex-South Vietnam Air Force C-130.[39]
Yemen
Yemen Arab Republic Air Force[34]
Zaire
Country known today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo[40]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 "World Air Forces 2023". Flight Global. Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Scramble – Dutch Aviation Society. "Orbats – Algeria – Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  3. ↑ The Military Balance. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2025. ISBN 978-1-041-04967-8.
  4. ↑ "Fleet". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Coulson Aviation to bring another C-130 airtanker online this summer". Skies Mag. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Orbats".
  7. ↑ Scramble, Ethiopia, accessed May 2024.
  8. 1 2 Rahma, Angely (4 November 2024). "Mengenal Pesawat Hercules C-130 TNI AU, Ini Fakta Menariknya!". detikjatim (in Indonesian). Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Kilas Balik Pendaratan Perdana Pesawat C-130 Hercules TNI AU di Indonesia - Indonesiadefense.com | Informasi Berita Terkini dan Terbaru Hari Ini Hankam Dan TNI %". Indonesiadefense.com | Informasi Berita Terkini dan Terbaru Hari Ini Hankam Dan TNI (in Indonesian). 4 April 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Hashim, Firdaus. "Australia gives Indonesia four C-130H transports". Flight Global. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "First C-130J-30 for Indonesia produced". Default. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "8 Insiden Kecelakaan Hercules di Indonesia". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). 30 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Indonesia air force C-130 plane crash in Medan death toll jumps over 140 - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "C-130 Aircraft Database - Indonesian Air Force C-130s - F-16.net". www.c-130.net. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Boeing Team Delivers C-130H Aerial Refueling Tanker to Japan". Boeing Company. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  16. ↑ "C-130H added aerial refueling and reputation Archived 11 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine"(Japanese). Asagumo News. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  17. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (27 February 2012). "The Mystery of Japan's KC-130 Buy". jsw.newpacificinstitute.org. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  18. ↑ Sale Gives New Life to Excess C-130s Archived 14 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 7 March 2013 Retrieved 27 September 2017
  19. ↑ "Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force C-130s". Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert; Delalande, Arnaud (2015). Libyan Air Wars, Part 1: 1973-1985. Solihull, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-909982-39-0.
  21. ↑ Scramble - Dutch Aviation Society. "Orbats - Royal Moroccan Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  22. ↑ Royal New Zealand Air Force. "C-130H(NZ) Hercules". www.nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  23. ↑ "Orbats".
  24. ↑ "Accident description for Lockheed C-130H Hercules NAF911 Lagos". Aviation Safety Network.
  25. ↑ https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507
  26. ↑ "U.S. Government Provides New SABIR System to Enhance Philippine Air Force Capabilities".
  27. ↑ "PH Air Force upgrades C-130 into a maritime patrol aircraft". 14 August 2018.
  28. ↑ "[C-130 Hercules] Aircraft for Lease". International Air Response.
  29. ↑ "NOAA awards contract for next-generation hurricane hunter aircraft | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". www.noaa.gov. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  30. ↑ State, Department of (2 June 2026). "Vietnam – C-130 Sustainment Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification". www.state.gov/releases/bureau-of-political-military-affairs. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  32. ↑ "Belgium retires its C-130s after 50 years of service". brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  33. ↑ "FAB se despede da aeronave C-130 com uma série de homenagens". Brazilian Ai Force. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  34. 1 2 3 "Arms Transfers Database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  35. ↑ "Spanish Air Force says "adiós" to C-130 Hercules". aerotime.aero. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  36. ↑ "The Hercules in RAF service". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  37. ↑ World Air Forces 2023 pp32-33
  38. ↑ Perry, Dominic (17 April 2023). "Final RAF C-130J mission set for 17 June as Hercules retirement nears". Flight Global. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  39. ↑ Mai Thanh Hai (26 April 2017). "Huyền thoại 'Ngựa thồ': Chuyển loại thần tốc". thanhnien.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  40. ↑ Bayart, Jean-François (1993). The state in Africa: the politics of the belly (2nd ed.). London: Longman. ISBN 0-582-06421-X.
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