Lockheed Martin officials formally delivered four C-130J Super Hercules airlifters to the Qatar on September 28. The Qatar Emiri Air Force’s new Super Hercules are the longer fuselage or “stretched” variant of the C-130J. The aircraft will be used for humanitarian relief and military missions for the defence of Qatar. The new airlift fleet will ferry to Qatar in October.

“It is a historic day for both the Qatar Armed Forces and Lockheed Martin as we welcome Qatar into the global C-130 family,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin Vice President for C-130 programmes. “This acquisition of a fleet of C-130Js provides Qatar with a highly flexible airlift capability. As the first C-130J operator in the Middle East, Qatar takes a unique place in C-130 history.”

This is Qatar’s first experience with C-130s and Lockheed Martin is providing a complete solution package. “The package includes the four aircraft; aircrew and maintenance training; spares; ground support and test equipment; and a team of technical specialists who will be based in Qatar during an initial support period.