First Latin American nation to operate Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules

The Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM) has officially acquired its first Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifter, marking a significant milestone in regional defense modernization. With this delivery, Mexico becomes the first country in Latin America to operate the advanced C-130J variant, joining a global fleet deployed across 24 nations.

The acquisition is part of a broader effort to enhance Mexico’s airlift capabilities for both military and humanitarian missions. The C-130J-30, the extended-fuselage version of the C-130J, offers 15 additional feet of cargo space, enabling greater payload capacity and operational flexibility.

This purchase represents one of two international C-130J contracts finalized in 2025, according to Lockheed Martin. The second customer remains undisclosed. The announcement underscores continued global demand for the Super Hercules platform, with more than 560 C-130Js currently in service worldwide.

For over five decades, the C-130 Hercules has played a crucial role in Mexico’s national operations, supporting disaster relief, medical evacuations, troop transport, and logistics in remote regions. The introduction of the C-130J-30 is expected to significantly enhance these capabilities, particularly in response to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies where rapid deployment is crucial.

As the FAM begins training and integration efforts, the C-130J-30 is set to enter operational service later this year. The addition of a second aircraft is anticipated under the current agreement, further expanding Mexico’s strategic airlift capacity.