As a part of the AIR 7404 Phase 1 project, the Australian Department of Defence decided in November 2022 to replace the 12 C-130J Hercules transport planes that have been operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) since 1999 with new C-130J aircraft. This choice was determined to be “the only option that satisfies all of the objectives” while simultaneously reducing “risks in terms of expenses, schedule, and capabilities.”
After that, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is in charge of the sale of military equipment from the United States, published a notice in which it recommended to Congress that it authorise Australia’s acquisition of 24 C-130J Hercules from Lockheed Martin at an estimated cost of 6.35 billion dollars. Lockheed Martin would manufacture these aircraft.
The negotiations proceeded, but between November and July, there was a huge increase in the price of the order that Canberra was planning to place. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will now pay 6.6 billion dollars (or 9.8 billion Australian dollars) to purchase 20 C-130J aircraft. This is the sum specified in the contract just recently signed by the Department of Defence in Australia.
According to a statement distributed by the ministry on July 24, the C-130J Hercules aircraft will continue to be flown by the No. 37 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force out of the Richmond Air Base in New South Wales.
Because the contractor under this deal would be responsible for the operational maintenance of an “increased” fleet of C-130J Hercules, the contract is anticipated to give “substantial benefits” to the Australian industry.
Late in the year 2027 is when we are expecting to receive the first of these 20 aeroplanes that we have ordered.
Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Industry in Australia, stressed that the government makes it a priority to provide the Australian Defence Forces with cutting-edge aircraft, such as the C-130J Hercules as well as other types of aircraft to meet the diverse array of difficulties that the country would face in the future. In addition, he emphasised that increasing the number of aircraft at the Richmond Air Base from 12 to 20 will increase the chances for the local industry to provide support, as well as job prospects linked with the redevelopment of the base’s infrastructure.
