The Egyptian Air Force will bolster its tactical transport fleet with two C-130J-30 turboprops, Lockheed Martin announced on September 5 during the Egypt International Air Show.
The aircraft were acquired through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Egypt is a major operator of the Hercules, currently having 26 of the C-130H variant delivered between 1976 and 1990.
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The U.S. State Department had approved a potential sale of 12 C-130Js in January 2022, but a contract was still pending.
“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. 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,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions.
Egypt will be the 23rd operator of the upgraded Hercules variant, which has already delivered more than 545 aircraft.
Announcement frustrates Embraer’s efforts
The order for two C-130J-30s, the stretched variant of the Super Hercules, brings an air of frustration to Embraer, which has struggled to lure traditional Lockheed customers to the rival C-390 Millennium.
In May, a delegation from the company met with Egyptian counterparts where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for future defense collaboration.
To date, the C-390 has not won any customers in Africa or the Middle East.
There is an ongoing dispute for a significant order from Saudi Arabia, which also operates the Hercules but is trying to attract investment to develop the aerospace and defense industry.
