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The United Kingdom has confirmed the sale of 12 second-hand C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft to Türkiye as part of a wider defense export package, with a combined value exceeding £550 million ($742.5 million) for the U.K. defense sector and Marshall Aerospace, the U.K. government announced Thursday.
U.K. Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the agreement safeguards around 1,400 skilled jobs in Cambridge and forms part of the U.K.'s record-breaking defense exports in 2025.
"These deals are also complemented by the export and sale of 12 C-130 aircraft to Türkiye at a combined value to UK defence and Marshall Aerospace Group of over £550M—safeguarding 1,400 skilled jobs in Cambridge," Pollard said.
The U.K. government said it has signed over £20 billion in defense agreements in a single year—the highest export figures since records began.
The C-130J sale complements the £8 billion Eurofighter Typhoon deal announced earlier, which secured 20,000 jobs across the U.K.
"We are showing again how this government is delivering on our pledge to make defence an engine for economic growth across the country while boosting our security and that of our allies," Pollard said.
"By exporting Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye, we are securing high-skilled jobs in Lancashire, Scotland and across the UK whilst helping strengthen NATO's southern flank," he added.
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce said: "These export successes reflect the NAD Group's mission to strengthen international partnerships while driving economic growth at home. By working as one integrated organisation, we're facilitating access to UK defence capability for our allies, creating jobs and prosperity across the country whilst building the collective deterrence we all need."
Avril Jolliffe, director general of International Collaboration and Exports (IC&E), said: "Global security demands an always-on approach to international collaboration and exports. As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we're creating a single point of focus that connects UK industry directly with international opportunities. This isn't just about selling equipment—it's about building defence partnerships that support collective security and UK economic objectives."
Marshall Aerospace has secured a multi-year support and sustainment contract with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
The contract covers entry-into-service support, scheduled maintenance, spares, tooling, and training, enabling Türkiye to build an indigenous C-130J sustainment capability.
Marshall Aerospace CEO Bob Baxter said: "We are delighted to have signed this contract to keep Türkiye's new modern, world-class tactical airlift fleet mission-ready and mission-capable. Today's announcement highlights our place in the global C-130 community as a leading provider of through-life fleet support."
As part of the modernization scope, centre wing box replacements will be completed on all 12 aircraft prior to their induction into service. The centre wing box connects the fuselage to the two main wings and is critical for flight safety, aircraft durability and long-term use.
The resale and preparation process was conducted in cooperation with the U.K.'s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organization.
Negotiations for the procurement were first announced in 2024, when the Turkish Defense Ministry revealed it was in talks to procure second-hand C-130J aircraft offered for sale by the United Kingdom.
Although additional A400M transport aircraft procurement from Airbus was also rumored back then to be on the table, in August 2024, Türkiye had made significant progress on C-130J procurement rather than A400M, reaching the final stage of negotiations.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense said in October 2025 that the 12 C-130J aircraft had been delivered to the relevant company for maintenance and modernization.
"The aircraft will be gradually added to our Air Force inventory following their maintenance and modernization in the United Kingdom under the signed contract," the ministry said, adding that, "Additionally, maintenance and sustainment of the C-130J aircraft will be carried out with indigenous and national capabilities after TIP (Type Training) training."
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