The federal government has conditionally sold 10 retired CC-130H Hercules military aircraft to British Columbia-based Coulson Aviation, where they will be converted into advanced aerial firefighting aircraft to help combat wildfires across Canada. The announcement comes as the country faces increasingly severe and prolonged wildfire seasons.
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr said the conversion work will be carried out in Port Alberni, B.C., with each aircraft requiring approximately 20,000 hours of labour. The first converted aircraft is expected to be operational within 12 months, creating skilled aerospace jobs while expanding Canada’s wildfire-fighting capacity.
The CC-130H Hercules aircraft previously served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, supporting military transport, humanitarian missions, search-and-rescue operations, and emergency evacuations. They have since been replaced by newer CC-130J Hercules aircraft. Of the 12 aircraft retired earlier this year, 10 will be converted for firefighting, while the remaining two will be preserved for display at Canadian military bases and museums.
The sale remains subject to final contractual agreements and Transport Canada regulatory approvals. Federal officials did not disclose the value of the transaction, citing commercial confidentiality.
The announcement follows growing calls from wildfire experts and lawmakers to modernize Canada’s aerial firefighting fleet. With wildfires becoming more frequent and destructive due to changing climate conditions, governments across the country are under increasing pressure to invest in additional aircraft and improve emergency response capabilities.