The Canadian government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerospace company, for conversion into firefighting planes. These aircraft are part of a fleet of 12 retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year, with the remaining two slated for display at public bases and museums.

The conditional sale was disclosed by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, during an event at Abbotsford, B.C., coinciding with an international air show. Fuhr lauded the sale as a top-tier divestment initiative that will provide a new purpose for the military assets.

Amid a global shortage of water bombers due to escalating wildfires, Coulson Aviation CEO Wayne Coulson expressed optimism that the first converted aircraft could be firefighting-ready by the next wildfire season. The company plans to shoulder the costs of conversion and operations, offering their services to governments under contract.

The conversion process is set to occur primarily in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional sites in Abbotsford and Kelowna. The Hercules aircraft, which were a key component of the military’s airlift capabilities for years, will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting missions worldwide.

While the exact sale price remains confidential under the commercial agreement, the Canadian authorities and Coulson Aviation are committed to swift delivery of the aircraft to enhance firefighting capabilities. Ottawa’s move to upgrade to the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft prompted the sale of the Hercules planes, marking a new chapter for these retired assets.

Looking ahead, as Canada plans to retire its aging Victoria-class submarines in the coming years, the fate of these vessels is likely to involve scrapping, following the standard procedure for decommissioned military assets.