ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia – Coulson Aviation will convert 10 retired Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules transport aircraft into aerial firefighters under a conditional sale agreement with the government, the company said Friday.

The aircraft are among 12 CC-130Hs retired by the RCAF in January. The remaining two will be put on public display at Canadian military bases and museums, the government said Friday.

The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. The government did not disclose the sale price or bid information, saying it was confidential.

“Responsible asset divestment can allow military assets to continue to protect Canadians while creating new opportunities for Canadian industry,” Stephen Fuhr, secretary of state for defence procurement, said.

The acquisition will double Coulson’s global C-130H fleet to 20, expanding the company’s capacity to develop what it describes as the world’s largest C-130 airtanker fleet.

Canada had 637 active wildfires as of Friday, including 125 classified as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Coulson’s C-130H airtankers are equipped with its RADS-XXL retardant delivery system, which can carry more than 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant.

The system allows crews to control the amount of retardant released and the area covered during each drop.

Coulson said the C-130H’s payload, speed, range and ability to operate from shorter runways make it suitable for both initial attack and sustained wildfire operations.