The Government of Canada has conditionally sold 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation (Canada) Ltd., giving the British Columbia operator a major expansion of its aerial firefighting programme. The aircraft will be converted for wildfire suppression, and the deal doubles Coulson’s global C-130H fleet to 20 aircraft.
The transaction covers surplus aircraft from Canada’s retired fleet of 12 CC-130H Hercules, with two retained for museum and public display. Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, made the announcement in Abbotsford, British Columbia, during the air show there. Conversion work is expected to centre on Port Alberni, with possible activity in Abbotsford and Kelowna.
Coulson plans to equip the aircraft with its RADS-XXL retardant tank system, which can carry up to 4,000 gallons, or more than 15,000 litres. The Hercules platform’s range, payload and short-field performance make it well suited to initial attack and sustained wildfire operations. The sale price was not disclosed and the deal remains conditional, pending contract completion and Transport Canada approvals. Coulson has indicated the first aircraft could be ready within about 12 months, with two potentially available for the 2027 fire season.