June 1, 2007: Norway is buying four American C-130J transports, in a deal worth about $600 million. The package includes two spare engines, training, tech support and defensive electronics (including missile warning systems). Norway has six older C-130s it bought in the 1960s. These aircraft have been well maintained over the years, but are basically worn out.

The most common version of the C-130 still in service is the C-130H. It has a range of 8,368 kilometers, a top speed of 601 kilometers per hour, and can carry up to 18 tons of cargo, 92 troops, or 64 paratroopers. The latest version, the C-130J, has a top speed of 644 kilometers, 40 percent more range than the C-130H, and can carry 20 tons of cargo. A stretched version of the C-130J can carry more bulky cargo, and goes for $95 million each The C-130 has been in service of over 50 countries. The "J" version has much improved electronics and mechanical systems.