The Egyptian Armed Forces announced Thursday during the Egyptian Air Show that Lockheed Martin will deliver two C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) through a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. Air Force. Egypt is the 23rd nation to join the worldwide Super Hercules operating community.
As the most advanced and proven tactical airlifter in the world, the C-130J-30 Super Hercules delivers enhanced capability, versatility and power to EAF crews that have long operated a C-130H fleet in support of national, regional and global mission requirements. Egypt operates one of the world’s largest C-130H fleets that has a significant presence in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region supporting military, peacekeeping, humanitarian and natural disaster response mission requirements. Egypt joins seven MENA operators that have all chosen the C-130J as a preferred tactical airlifter and tanker.
“Egypt is a distinguished C-130 operator, relying on the EAF’s large Hercules fleet to support some of the most challenging mission requirements,” said Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business.
“Welcoming Egypt to the C-130J Super Hercules global fleet is an honor that truly represents the longstanding partnership between our two nations and with Lockheed Martin. Through these new C-130J-30s, the EAF’s tactical airlift presence deliver unmatched capabilities and aligned force amplification to better serve Egypt, north Africa and the world,” he added.
Egypt purchased six C-130Hs in June 1976 through FMS, with subsequent C-130 deliveries occurring through 1990. Egypt’s new C-130Js will meet current and future tactical airlifter requirements by supporting Egyptian forces in moving supplies, equipment, and people, thus strengthening its capacity in the security and humanitarian arena. This airlift capability is anticipated to assist with security, humanitarian aid and maritime patrol, and search and rescue mission requirements.
Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what’s next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and shaping the future of tactical airlift missions, offering a multitude of advantages found in no other medium-sized tactical airlifter in production or operation today.
These discriminators include proven operational readiness with the greatest ease of transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, certification by more than 20 airworthiness authorities, and enhanced survivability. The C-130J also delivers unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. The company’s all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those it serves always stay ahead of ready.
