Britain's retired Hercules head to Türkiye in December

Türkiye is scheduled to receive the first two of 12 former Royal Air Force C-130J transport aircraft in December after maintenance and preparation in the United Kingdom. The remaining aircraft will follow in phases, expanding Turkish tactical airlift capacity and replacing or supplementing older transports. The package, announced in 2025, is expected to direct more than £550 million of work to the British defence sector, including Marshall Aerospace, and support about 1,400 jobs. Delivery will still require national modification, training, acceptance, and entry-into-service activity with Turkish units.