TSK's C-130 Fleet: Mostly Second-Hand Aircraft Purchased from Saudi Arabia, UK

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — Nov. 12, 2025

The crash of a Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) C-130 military cargo plane in Georgia, which killed 20 soldiers, has shifted attention to the TSK's C-130 fleet. The majority of the fleet consists of older models, with the TSK having recently acquired six second-hand aircraft from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and currently awaiting 12 used jets from the United Kingdom.

The C-130, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, first entered the inventory of the US military in 1956. Over 2,000 C-130s of various models have been produced and sold to dozens of countries. The most advanced version is the "J" series, capable of carrying 90 combat-ready soldiers or 64 paratroopers.

TSK Fleet Mostly Consists of 'E' Version

The Turkish Air Force fleet primarily uses the C-130E version of the aircraft. The aircraft that crashed in Georgia was reportedly from the "E" series, which has been in service since the 1960s.

According to the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) website, the Air Force Command inventory, before yesterday's crash, contained 13 C-130E and six C-130B transport aircraft. The maintenance and modernization of these aircraft are carried out in Kayseri.

In 2012, the TSK acquired six second-hand "E" version aircraft from Saudi Arabia, which were decommissioned from the Royal Saudi Air Force inventory. A 2014 report in Hürriyet Daily News stated that Ankara paid $100 million for the acquisition and modernization of those six planes at the time.

Waiting for Second-Hand 'J' Series from the UK

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced on October 16th that the TSK would acquire the more modern "J" version of these aircraft. The Ministry provided the following statement last month regarding the second-hand acquisition from the UK:

"To meet the operational needs of our Air Force Command, work is underway to procure 12 C-130J aircraft from the United Kingdom. These aircraft have been delivered to the relevant company for maintenance and modernization. The aircraft will be gradually integrated into our Air Force inventory after their maintenance and modernization are completed in the UK, as per the signed contract."

The C-130 is generally regarded by experts as a reliable aircraft used by many armies for years. Experts emphasize that aircraft maintained correctly and on time can remain operational for decades.

Global Shift to Modern 'J' Series

Many countries, including the US, are replacing their aging C-130s with the newer "J" series. The manufacturer’s website states that over 560 of the latest model C-130Js have already been delivered to buyers in 23 countries.

The C-130J, which has been in the US military inventory since 1999 and is equipped with four Rolls-Royce engines, reportedly offers significant performance improvements and digital capabilities over previous versions. The US Air Force website states that the "J" version has the ability to climb faster and higher than previous C-130s and can take off and land in shorter distances, including on soft ground like dirt or grass.

The German Air Force also has six C-130Js in its fleet, according to information on its website.

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