Saudi Arabia is set to receive two KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refuellers from Lockheed Martin as part of a foreign military sales programme with the US Government.
The delivery makes Saudi Arabia the 16th country to own the C-130J Super Hercules, which will be operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) crews to meet its refuelling and airlift needs.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia Business Development vice-president Christopher Antone said: "Our decades-long C-130 partnership with Saudi Arabia continues with the addition of the KC-130J to the RSAF airlift fleet.
"We are honoured by the Kingdom’s decision to enhance its existing fleet with the proven capabilities and superior performance of the KC-130J Super Hercules.
"With more than 50 years of C-130 operations in the Kingdom, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Saudi Arabia in the years to come."
Powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, the Lockheed Martin KC-130 aerial refueller is an extended-range tanker version of the C-130 Hercules and is used for aerial refuelling and tactical airlift missions.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe aircraft refuels tactical aircraft, helicopters and tilt-rotors as well as is also capable of conducting rapid ground refuelling of expeditionary forces.
Currently flown by 19 different operators, the C-130J Super Hercules worldwide fleet has logged more than 1.3 million flight hours.
The RSAF currently operates a fleet of 50 C-130 Hercules aircraft variants for military transport, airborne refuelling and VIP transport operations.
Image: The KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refueller. Photo: courtesy of Damien A. Guarnieri / Lockheed Martin Corporation.
