The Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM) has officially added the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules to its fleet, making Mexico the first country in Latin America to operate the modernized Hercules.

The acquisition marks the first of two international C-130J contract awards finalized in 2025, with the second customer yet to be announced. By selecting the C-130J-30 — the stretch variant that adds 15 feet of cargo space — Mexico joins a global fleet of over 560 C-130Js operated by 24 nations worldwide.

A longtime Hercules operator, the FAM is modernizing its legacy fleet, leveraging decades of proven operational performance and existing interoperability. The C-130J-30 brings increased power, range, fuel efficiency and cargo capacity, enabling Mexico to perform a full spectrum of tactical airlift missions while building on established flying, maintenance and logistics expertise.

“This historic decision by Mexico reflects the continued trust placed in the C-130J Super Hercules by operators around the world,” said Trish Pagan, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions. “With their new C-130J-30, the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana’s tactical airlift capability will deliver unmatched performance, exceptional reliability and the versatility to perform all 20 missions the C-130J is certified to execute across Mexico, throughout Latin America and worldwide.”

For more than 50 years, the C-130 Hercules has been a cornerstone of Mexico’s response to natural disasters, military operations and other critical missions. The addition of the C-130J-30 heralds a new era of modern tactical airlift, ensuring the FAM remains at the forefront of regional security and operational readiness.

About the C-130J Super Hercules
The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest generation of the legendary C-130 Hercules. Featuring advanced avionics, increased range and speed and enhanced survivability, it is certified to perform 20 mission sets including airdrop, search and rescue, firefighting, medevac, ISR and special operations. With a global fleet exceeding 560 aircraft, the C-130J continues to serve as the backbone of tactical air mobility worldwide.