Turkey has signed a multi-year agreement with Marshall Aerospace to upgrade and maintain 12 former Royal Air Force (RAF) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft purchased from the United Kingdom.
The contract covers comprehensive sustainment support, including spare parts, tooling, training, and systems integration, enabling the Turkish Air Force to establish an independent, long-term maintenance capability.
All aircraft are undergoing overhaul and modernization at Marshall’s Cambridge facility in England prior to delivery to Turkey.
Each C-130J will receive a new center wing box — the key structural component linking the wings to the fuselage — extending service life and ensuring operational safety. Marshall remains among the few aerospace firms globally certified to perform this specialized replacement.
Following upgrades in the UK, the aircraft will be commissioned into Turkish service, with future maintenance expected to transition to domestic facilities after local crews complete their training.
Once delivered, the refurbished C-130Js will replace aging C-130B and C-130E variants, easing operational pressure on the A400M fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airlift, logistics, and humanitarian response capabilities.
