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.
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.
The 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.
