Poland confirms order for five surplus USAF C-130Hs

Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, has confirmed that the acquisition of five second-hand US Air Force (USAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules tactical transports has been finalised.

The country’s Ministry of Defence confirmed on April 14 that a contract had been signed with the US to obtain the aircraft through the Excess Defense Articles programme. He said that the first aircraft is expected to arrive this year. They will be operated by the Polish Air Force’s 3 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Transportowego (3 SLT – 3 Air Transport Wing) at 33 Baza Lotnictwa Transportowego (33 Air Transport Base) Powidz.

Polish C-130E [Polish MOD]
One of the Polish Air Force’s current C-130E Hercules, which will now be joined by five newer C-130Hs. Polish Ministry of Defence

Currently, the Polish Air Force has five earlier C-130E Hercules variants in service with 3 SLT’s 14 Eskadra Locnictwa Transportowego (14 Air Transport Squadron) at Powidz. These are also former USAF aircraft, built in 1970, the first of which was delivered to Poland in 2009.