List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a multipurpose military transport aircraft used by many states around the world, this is a list of the current and former operators.

Current operators

Algeria – Algerian Air Force: 2ème Escadre de Transport Tactique et Logistique (three squadrons) – Boufarik Airport

Argentine Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force 12 C-130H (20 on order)

Austrian Air Force Lufttransportstaffel (Linz/Horsching) (C-130K)

Royal Bahraini Air Force

Bangladesh – Bangladesh Air Force

Bolivia – Bolivian Air Force

Botswana Air Force

Cameroon Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force, 26 in use as of January 2025 7 C-130H Hercules 2 C-130H-30 Hercules 17 C-130J-30 Super Hercules Coulson Aviation, used as airtankers for use on wildfires.

Chad Air Force

Chilean Air Force

Colombian Aerospace Force

Royal Danish Air Force

Ecuadorian Air Force

Egyptian Air Force: Squadrons 4 and 16 flying C-130s from Cairo International Airport

Ethiopian Air Force – two aircraft: The Dutch Aviation Society "Scramble" reports that 15 Squadron operates C-130Es and L-100-30s from Harar Meda Airport, Bishoftu.Scramble, Ethiopia, accessed May 2024.

French Air and Space Force

Gabon Air Force

German Air Force

Hellenic Air Force

Indian Air Force

Indonesian Air Force 31st Air Squadron 32nd Air Squadron 33rd Air Squadron The Indonesian Air Force began operating the C-130 in the 1960s with a fleet of 8 C-130Bs transport aircraft and 2 KC-130B tankers. The aircraft purchase was part of a deal between the United States and Indonesia to secure the release of Allen Lawrence Pope, a CIA pilot captured while conducting covert operations in support of Permesta rebels in the Moluccas. With this purchase Indonesia became the very first foreign operator of the aircraft in the world. Since then, the aircraft has been the backbone of its airlift capabilities, being used to carry both military supplies and humanitarian aid. Over the years the Indonesian Air Force has added newer models to its fleet by acquiring second hand C-130Hs from the Royal Australian Air Force as well as brand new C-130J-30 Super Hercules. The Indonesian Air Force has also suffered the loss of several C-130 aircraft in multiple accidents. This included the loss of one of its two KC-130 tankers, significantly reducing its aerial refueling capability. Currently Indonesia operates a total of 25 C-130 models this includes one KC-130, eight L-100-30s, 12 C-130B/H/H-30s, and five C-130J-30 Super Hercules.

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Iraqi Air Force

Israeli Air Force

Italian Air Force

Japan Air Self-Defense Force 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron – JASDF Komaki Base The Japan Defense Agency ordered the C-130H which was the newest model in 1981. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased 16 in total to replace aging C-1 and YS-11P aircraft. The C-130Hs were received from 1984 to 1998. JASDF C-130Hs were active in Iraq from 2004 to 2008. Two C-130Hs (95-1080 and 95–1083) have been equipped with aerial fuel-receiving and refueling functions, making them of KC-130H standard."C-130H added aerial refueling and reputation "(Japanese). Asagumo News. Retrieved 25 April 2010. This provides the JASDF with the ability to refuel the UH-60J search and rescue helicopters of its Air Rescue Wing. Japan – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Air Transport Squadron 61 – JMSDF Atsugi Base The JMSDF bought six used KC-130R aircraft that were in storage, having been previously operated by the US Marines. There was some speculation that they may be used as gunships with the Harvest HAWK kit. In actuality they were purchased to replace three aging YS-11M/M-A aircraft of Air Transport Squadron 61. Their air to air refueling equipment was removed, making them of C-130R standard. Corrosion repair was done and the aircraft were refitted with new landing gear supports, cargo door supports and center wing rainbow fittings. In addition to structural modifications, Japan received thirty overhauled Allison T56-A-16 engines and digital cockpit upgrades to include a digital GPS. Regeneration of the first aircraft began in November 2012 and was planned to be completed by Fall 2013.Sale Gives New Life to Excess C-130s - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 7 March 2013 Retrieved 27 September 2017 The six C-130Rs were supplied from 2014 to 2016.

– – – – – – – – Niger – Niger Air Force

Royal Jordanian Air Force

Kuwait Air Force

Libyan Air Force. Previously operated by the Libyan Air Force under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's rule until 2011. Sixteen C-130H were ordered, but only eight were delivered, and the remaining aircraft embargoed in 1971.

Royal Malaysian Air Force

Mexican Air Force

Royal Moroccan Air Force 3rd Royal Moroccan Air Base/Escadre de Transport based at Kenitra Air Base (C-130H)

Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force

Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 40 Squadron RNZAF, RNZAF Base Auckland

Nigerian Air Force 301 Heavy Airlift Group based at Lagos/Murtala Muhammed International Airport (C-130H, C-130H-30). On 26 September 1992 a Nigerian C-130H, serial number 911 crashed three minutes after take-off from Lagos, when three engines failed possibly due to high take-off weight. All 158 people on board were killed, including eight foreign nationals.

Royal Norwegian Air Force

Royal Air Force of Oman

Pakistan Air Force

Peruvian Air Force

Philippine Air Force 222nd Airlift Sq, 220th Airlift Wing – 5 https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 C-130 based in Mactan-Benito Ebuen Airbase, 2 C-130H and 2 C-130T equipped with SABIR Maritime Patrol delivered in 2015. are currently operational, 1 C-130B are undergoing repairs.

Polish Air Force

Portuguese Air Force

Qatar Emiri Air Force

Romanian Air Force

Royal Saudi Air Force

Republic of Singapore Air Force

South African Air Force

Republic of Korea Air Force

Sri Lanka Air Force

Sudanese Air Force

Swedish Air Force

Republic of China Air Force

Royal Thai Air Force

Tunisian Air Force

Turkish Air Force

United Arab Emirates Air Force

United States Air Force United States Coast Guard United States Marine Corps United States Navy California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection International Air Response NOAA Hurricane Hunters

Uruguayan Air Force

Venezuelan Air Force Future operators

Vietnam People's Air Force -The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Vietnam for C-130 Sustainment services and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $100 million.

Former operators

Afghan Air Force

Belgian Air Component (replaced by the A400M)

Brazilian Air Force (replaced by the C-390)

Honduras Air Force

Spanish Air Force

Royal Air Force – The Royal Air Force began using the C-130K in the mid-1960s designated Hercules C.1. Some aircraft were lengthened and redesignated the C.3. From 1998 they took into service 10 standard C-130J as the Hercules C.4 and 15 lengthened C-130J-30 as the C.5. The decision was made to replace the Hercules with the Airbus A400M Atlas and the last C-130Js were withdrawn from service at end of June 2023 for sale.World Air Forces 2023 pp32-33

South Vietnam Air Force

Vietnam People's Air Force – Captured ex-South Vietnam Air Force C-130.

Yemen Arab Republic Air Force

Country known today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo

List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators

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