New Zealand accepts first C-130J-30 Hercules

Representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand MoD accepted the country's first Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 on 8 August 2024. (Lockheed Martin)

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has accepted its first Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules airlifter.

The aircraft (which has the registration number NZ7011) is one of the five aircraft that Wellington ordered in 2020 at a cost of USD1.5 billion. The contract includes associated technology and equipment. NZ7011 first flew in April 2024, according to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD), which previously told Janes that the delivery of all five aircraft will be completed in 2024.

Lockheed Martin handed over NZ7011 to representatives of the New Zealand MoD and the NZDF at the company's factory at Marietta, Georgia, on 8 August.

According to Rod McLean, vice-president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility and Maritime Missions Line of Business, the C-130J-30s will build on the capabilities of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF's) existing (and soon to be retired) C-130H fleet, such as ability to operate alongside allied air forces and conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

“The RNZAF's new C-130J[-30] fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities, and ... performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements,” McLean said.

New Zealand's second C-130J-30 is also almost certainly being worked up to be handed over to the NZDF. In April the New Zealand MoD said that the second C-130J-30 was “not far behind the first on the Lockheed Martin factory floor”.

The ministry added at the time that the aircraft was scheduled to undergo its first test flight after it emerged from the paint shop.