The Canadian government has announced the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company, for conversion into firefighting planes. These aircraft were part of a fleet of 12 retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two to be displayed publicly.
The conditional sale was unveiled by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr at an event in Abbotsford, B.C. Fuhr described the sale as a top-tier divestment project that will provide a new purpose for the military assets.
The global demand for water bombers is on the rise due to the escalating intensity and frequency of wildfires. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, aims to have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season. The conversion process will be carried out at their own expense, and the company plans to offer firefighting services under contract to various governments.
The Hercules aircraft, which previously served a vital role in military airlift operations, will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting missions worldwide. The conversion of each aircraft is estimated to require around 20,000 hours of work.
Both Coulson Aviation and the government have opted not to disclose the total sale price, citing confidentiality under the commercial agreement. Ottawa’s decision to sell these assets highlights the ongoing need to repurpose outdated military equipment to meet evolving challenges, such as the increasing demand for firefighting resources.