Lockheed Martin delivers first KC-130J for Germany

The first KC-130J for the Luftwaffe departs the Marietta production facility in the US, bound for the joint Franco-German C-130 squadron in France. (Lockheed Martin)

The first Lockheed Martin KC-130J tanker-transport aircraft for the Luftwaffe was delivered to the joint Franco-German C-130 air-transport squadron at Évreux-Fauville Air Base in northern France on 28 February.

The first of three German KC-130Js departed the company's Marietta production facility in Georgia for the ferry flight to France, where it joined three Luftwaffe C-130J-30, two French Air and Space Force (Armee de l'Air et de l'Espace: AAE) KC-130J, and two AAE C-130J-30 aircraft already delivered. The final two Luftwaffe KC-130Js are to be delivered by the end of 2024, for a final joint fleet of five KC-130J and and five C-130J-30 aircraft.

The C-130 air-transport squadron at Évreux-Fauville Air Base in northern France will have unrestricted exchange of aircraft, aircrews, and maintainers, as well as technical and logistical support based on a common pool of spare parts and a common service support contract. “Ten aircraft, two nations, one association – there has never been anything like this in Europe,” the Bundeswehr has previously said.

The joint air-transport squadron is scheduled to achieve full operating capability in 2024–25.

For more information on the KC-130J, please seeLockheed Martin (Lockheed) C-130 Hercules.