DefenseAustria retires first C-130K Hercules while waiting for its Embraer C-390s
Austria has retired the first of its three C-130K Hercules as it moves toward introducing a new fleet of four Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The transition will leave the Austrian Air Force with only two active C-130s until 2027, a gap that will be covered with operational support from Portugal, which will provide lift capacity with its own C-130 and C-390 fleets.
The aircraft withdrawn, tail number 8T-CA, completed its final flight on November 20, from Linz-Hörsching to Wiener Neustadt. With its service life exhausted, it has been partially dismantled for parts and reassigned as a ground training platform.
The airframe began its career with the UK Royal Air Force in 1967 and joined Austria in 2003, contributing more than 18,000 flight hours across both nations.
Austria plans to retire its remaining Hercules in 2027 and 2030. Since entering Austrian service, the trio transported more than 130,000 passengers and over 14,000 tonnes of cargo on military, humanitarian, and diplomatic missions.
The country has ordered four C-390s, with the first delivery expected in 2028 and full operational capability planned for 2030.
Austrian defense officials highlight that the joint procurement program with Portugal has reduced acquisition costs by about €140 million, while also enabling the Portuguese Air Force to act as a temporary backbone for Austrian airlift needs until the new fleet arrives.
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