The US Department of Defense has delivered a C-130H Hercules military transport aircraft to the Philippine Air Force as part of Washington’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.
The aircraft flew from Waco, Texas, to the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
It was piloted by a US aircrew and received by the installation with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon landing.
The C-130 is the second cargo plane delivered by the US government under the EDA framework.
Philippine Air Force Spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo highlighted that the aircraft “will bolster the cargo airlift fleet and support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and various military missions.”
A formal turnover and acceptance ceremony for the aircraft is expected to take place in February or March, the air force said.
Excess Defense Articles
Assets transferred through the EDA program count as excess from the US military’s existing stockpile.
These capabilities are granted via foreign military sales or donations to modernize the forces of partner nations.
Articles procured through sales are offered to allies at a reduced price based on the condition of the equipment.
The framework applies an “as is, where is” policy, in which the receiving party is responsible for logistics, corresponding transport requirements, and optional refurbishments.
More C-130Js by 2027
The Pampanga delivery followed Manila’s October 2023 announcement of the acquisition of three new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Washington.
This separate effort is a response by the US and its Asia Pacific ally to counter Beijing’s continuing military activities across the South China Sea.
Lockheed Martin will deliver two of the aircraft in 2026 and the remaining in 2027, according to the Philippine Department of Defense. The total value of the sale has not been disclosed.