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3 clusters · 28 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

Canada sale of Hercules aircraft for firefighting

Overview

The Canadian government has announced the conditional sale of ten retired CC-130H Hercules transport aircraft to Coulson Aviation Canada Ltd. The aircraft, which were part of a fleet of 12 retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force in January 2026, are intended to be converted into aerial firefighting platforms. The two remaining airframes are slated for museum display.

Coordinated through the GCMil unit of Public Services and Procurement, the deal aims to bolster Canada’s wildfire-response capacity and strengthen the domestic aerospace sector. Coulson Aviation plans to restore and convert the planes at its maintenance, repair, and overhaul center at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport in British Columbia. The converted aircraft will be capable of dropping water and fire retardant from tanks exceeding 15,000 liters. A key advantage of the C-130 platform is its ability to operate from short runways with limited technical or navigational support.

This acquisition will expand Coulson’s global C-130H fleet to 20 aircraft, following previous purchases of retired planes from New Zealand and Norway. The project is expected to support local jobs and provide career opportunities for students in the company’s aircraft maintenance programs. The first converted aircraft are anticipated to be operational as early as 2027, pending Transport Canada certification and the completion of contractual arrangements.

Entities

Transport Canada · Royal Canadian Air Force · Coulson Aviation · Joël Lightbound · Wayne Coulson

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 14 sources
    Coulson Aviation to convert 10 retired Hercules aircraft into firefighting tankers

    Coulson Aviation has purchased 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the Canadian government to convert them into aerial firefighting tankers for global wildfire suppression.

  2. 14 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Coulson Aviation to convert ten retired Canadian C-130H Hercules into firefighting aircraft

    Coulson Aviation is purchasing ten retired Canadian C-130H Hercules aircraft to convert them into aerial firefighting planes in British Columbia.

  3. 16 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 11 sources
    Canada sells ten retired Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation for firefighting

    Canada is selling ten retired CC‑130H Hercules planes to Coulson Aviation for conversion into aerial fire‑tanker aircraft, boosting wildfire response and domestic aerospace jobs.

Sources

aerotelegraph.com · albernivalleynews.com · anzyk.hu · bagimsizhavacilar.com · campbellrivermirror.com · canadiandefencereview.com · chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · dicaappdodia.com · dnoticias.pt · elnuevodiario.com.do · goldstreamgazette.com · konflikty.pl · lakecowichangazette.com · leianoticias.com.br · makeinindia.com · missioncityrecord.com · nanaimobulletin.com · oakbaynews.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · portal.comunique-se.com.br · pqbnews.com · saanichnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com · theprogress.com · vanguardcanada.com · vicnews.com · westerlynews.ca

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history