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Canada Sells Retired C-130 Hercules to Coulson Aviation

August 8, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Canada sells 10 retired C-130 Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation.
Aircraft will be converted into firefighting planes.
Conversions expected to take 20,000 hours per aircraft.
First aircraft may be ready for next wildfire season.

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Strategic Implications

This sale may indicate a growing trend in repurposing retired military aircraft for civilian use, which could benefit companies like Coulson Aviation and enhance global firefighting capabilities. The conversion of these aircraft suggests a significant investment in wildfire mitigation, which could have long-term implications for the aerospace industry and disaster response efforts.

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What Happened

Military Transport Aircraft Get New Lease On Life As Waterbombers

The Canadian government has announced the sale of 10 retired C-130 Hercules aircraft to B.C.-based aerospace company Coulson Aviation, which will convert them into firefighting aircraft. The sale was announced by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, who called it a ‘gold standard’ divestment project. The aircraft will be converted and flown by Coulson Aviation at its own expense, with the company offering its services under contract to governments. The conversions will take place in Port Alberni, B.C., and possibly in Abbotsford and Kelowna. This development was reported by CBC News.

Source | Originally Published: August 7, 2026

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