The Turkish government has finalized a long-term contract with Marshall Aerospace for the maintenance and modernization of 12 ex-UK Royal Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
Under the deal, Marshall will provide sustainment services, including parts supply, specialized tooling, crew training, and system integration, helping Turkey develop its own domestic support infrastructure for the aircraft.
The C-130Js are currently being refurbished at Marshall’s Cambridge site, where they will undergo structural and avionics upgrades before being transferred to Ankara.
A key part of the modernization involves replacing the center wing box, a critical section connecting the fuselage and wings, to extend the aircraft’s lifespan. Marshall Aerospace is one of the few global entities certified to carry out this complex procedure.
After the modifications are complete in the UK, the aircraft will be inducted into the Turkish Air Force, with ongoing maintenance shifting to Turkey once its personnel are trained.
The enhanced C-130Js will supplant older C-130B/E variants, improving fleet efficiency and bolstering Turkey’s tactical airlift, supply, and humanitarian mission capabilities alongside the A400M transport aircraft.
