The purchase follows Mexico’s first C-130J-30 acquisition, announced in January 2026. That decision made the country the first operator of the Super Hercules in Latin America.
The Mexican Air Force is using the aircraft to recapitalise a legacy Hercules fleet built up over more than five decades. Its previous operational, maintenance and logistics experience with the C-130 provides an established base for introducing the newer model.
The C-130J-30 is the stretched version of the aircraft and provides 15 feet of additional cargo space. It also offers increased range, payload capacity, fuel efficiency and engine power.
Mexico has already used its first C-130J-30 for disaster-relief operations following two earthquakes in Venezuela. The aircraft transported emergency supplies, medical assistance and personnel to the affected area.
Adding a second aircraft will double that response capacity and allow Mexico to sustain humanitarian operations across Latin America. It will also strengthen the country’s ability to support regional security missions and work with U.S. and allied forces.
“The C-130J is the backbone of global airlift, and Mexico’s continued investment underscores confidence in a platform that delivers decades of operational readiness, unmatched versatility and seamless interoperability with U.S. and allied forces,” said Trish Pagan, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions. “We are proud to support Mexico as it sets a new benchmark for tactical airlift in Latin America.”
The C-130J is certified for 20 mission sets, including airdrop, search and rescue, firefighting, medical evacuation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and special operations. Its design includes updated avionics, greater speed and range, and improved survivability.
More than 570 C-130Js operate within the global fleet. Lockheed Martin said its international support structure would provide Mexico with access to established maintenance, logistics and sustainment capabilities.
The second aircraft extends a long-standing relationship between Lockheed Martin and the Mexican Air Force. For Mexico, the acquisition provides additional reach for domestic missions and a larger role in multinational responses to security and humanitarian emergencies.
