Egypt getting first 2 Super Hercules cargo aircraft, Lockheed Martin says

BEIRUT — The Egyptian armed forces are moving forward with procurement of the nation’s first two C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters from Lockheed Martin, becoming the 23rd operator of the aircraft, according to a company announcement today.

“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,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business, in a statement. “With these new C-130J-30s, the Egyptian Air Force’s tactical airlift presence will deliver unmatched capabilities and aligned force amplification to serve Egypt, North Africa and the world.”

In 2022 the US government approved a Foreign Military Sale of 12 aircraft in a deal that at the time was estimated worth a total of $2.2 billion. Today, Tim German, capture director at Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division, said that the company “expects” that 10 additional aircraft will be delivered after the first two as part of a “staggered order.” An exhibition publication reported the first two will be delivered by 2026, a detail Lockheed did not confirm.

The head of Egypt’s air force apparently made the announcement during a stop at Lockheed’s booth at Egypt’s first air show. The Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to Breaking Defense’s off-hours request for additional comment.

Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Foaad Abd El Gawad, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, and Tim German, our Director of Capture Management, discussed Egypt’s C-130 journey and future to mark the addition of the unmatched capabilities of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the Republic’s fleet. 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/Z55dS690kU

— Lockheed Martin ME (@LMMiddleEast) September 5, 2024

The C-130J is characterized by larger cruise speed and higher altitude than the older transport series, in addition to taking off and landing at shorter distances, and larger cargo space, according to the US Air Force.

The announcement, comes as China and Russia compete for the Middle East and North Africa region’s defense market, with a focus on Egypt given its long and at times controversial relationship with Washington.

“Egypt’s position [is] as a major non-NATO ally and the largest Arab military with extensive equipment needs, especially as Cairo prepares to deploy forces in Somalia,” Mohammed Soliman, strategic adviser at McLarty Associates and director at the Middle East institute, previously told Breaking Defense.

The new aircraft are expected to replace the older fleet of 24 C-130H aircraft that Egypt currently operates. The C-130H “has a significant presence in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, supporting military, peacekeeping, humanitarian and natural disaster response mission requirements,” according to Lockheed’s statement. “Egypt joins seven MENA operators that have chosen the C-130J as a preferred medium-sized tactical airlifter and tanker.”

UPDATED 8:00am ET to clarify the aircraft are transport variants, not tankers.