The Canadian government revealed on Friday its plan to sell 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 Hercules planes retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two to be displayed publicly at various bases and museums.
The announcement of the conditional sale was made by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr at 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.
According to Fuhr, this sale represents an ideal opportunity due to the growing demand for firefighting capabilities globally, especially in the face of more frequent and intense wildfires. With over 4,500 wildfires raging across Canada this year, the need for water bombers is underscored.
Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence in the company’s ability to have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. While the goal is to convert two Hercules planes by next year, the conversion process may outpace the company’s timeline for completion.
The conversion and operational costs for the aircraft will be covered by Coulson Aviation, which intends to offer firefighting services to governments under contract. The conversion work will primarily take place in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional sites in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
The Hercules aircraft, previously integral to the military’s airlift operations, have been replaced with the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft by the Canadian government. The 10 Hercules planes being sold will be transformed into large tanker planes capable of carrying substantial amounts of fire retardant and deploying to any location worldwide. Each aircraft’s conversion is estimated to require approximately 20,000 hours of work.
Both the government and Coulson Aviation have chosen to keep the total sale price confidential, citing commercial agreement restrictions on the disclosure of such information. It is noted that the Canadian government is often obligated to dispose of old military assets once they reach the end of their service life, as will be the case with the retirement of the four Victoria-class submarines in the coming years.