On 11 June 2019 the Minister of Defence announced the selection of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules as the preferred option for the replacement of the aging C-130H aircraft.
The replacement of the five Hercules transport aircraft is the highest priority project within the Coalition Government's Defence Capability Plan 2019. Cabinet has decided to seek detailed costing information for a replacement aircraft, the C-130J-30 Super Hercules. A price will be sought through the United States' Foreign Military Sales process for the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The C-130J is a proven aircraft, with more than 300 C-130Js having been delivered to over 21 nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
No final contract has been made, on platform numbers, detailed costs, or funding and Budget implications. A Project Implementation Business Case is scheduled to be progressed to Cabinet next year, where these matters will be considered. The Defence Capability Plan 2019 noted that the estimated cost would be more than $1 billion.
The Minister's press release is available from the Beehive website: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/super-hercules-selected-preferred-option (external website).