Aircraft
New Zealand Approved for C-130J Acquisition
The RNZAF has an urgent need to replace its elderly first-generation Hercules, which are over 50 years old.
An RNZAF C-130H is seen at its home base at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai. (photo: Chen Chuanren)
An RNZAF C-130H is seen at its home base at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai. (photo: Chen Chuanren)

The U.S. State Department has given the go-ahead for the potential sale of five Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), setting in motion the replacement program for its C-130H that began sometime in 2015. The whole project is worth $1.4 billion.