Urgent need for Hellenic Air Force Hercules replacement
In December 2022, news started to emerge that the Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia (HAF, Hellenic Air Force) was looking to purchase a number of second-hand C-130J Hercules medium transport aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of C-130B and C-130H transporters that had been suffering from a very low operational rate for the last two decades.
Things have started to escalate dramatically, when the second flight with humanitarian assistance to support Turkey failed to make the transfer to Turkey. Greece sent two flights with search and rescue troops and material to Turkey after its devastating earthquakes that took place on 6 February.
The second flight had to return to its home base Elefsis when an in-flight emergency was declared. It became clear that no replacement Hercules was available and a C-27J Spartan was sent instead but because of its smaller size, it was not able to transport the emergency vehicles to Adana, Turkey.
After the incident, the dramatic operational status of the HAF became apparent: only one or two of the fifteen C-130s are serviceable at any given time. Of the eight C-27Js at the HAF’s disposal, only three are serviceable on average. Although this problem was addressed by the HAF higher command on several occasions over the last two decades, Greek politicians seem to have ignored these signals.
According to several Greek news outlets, the Greek prime minister has now requested the immediate supply of six C-130J medium transport aircraft. Although Italy is quoted as the sole source of the six aircraft, it is also possible that the United Kingdom or Australia (that both have C-130Js for sale) will supply the aircraft.
Although still not officially confirmed, Italy already sold four C-130Js to Sweden which are also due for delivery this year. Scramble Magazine reported on this sale in June 2022. Therefore, it seems likely that different or secondary sources for the C-130Js for Greece will be sought.
The Hercules fleet is operated by 356 MTM (Mira Taktikon Metaforon - Tactical Transport Squadron) Ηρακλής / Iraklis (Hercules) at Elefsina, also known as Elefsis, 15km NW of Athens. This air base also houses the C-27J Spartans, operated by 354 MTM Πήγασος / Pegasus.
According to the Scramble database, 356 MTM and 354 MTM have (had) the following aicraft:
Photo by Erwin Moedersheim (Scramble Archive)