Algeria received the first of four C-130J-30 transport aircraft (shown here with Royal Canadian Air Force markings) on January 23. (Lockheed Martin)

The Algerian Air Force has received its first Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifter.

The U.S. Embassy in Algiers announced the January 23 delivery in a post on its official Facebook account, noting that it is the first of four planes ordered by Algeria in 2018.

This is the first time details of the C-130J sale to Algeria have been made public, with the US Embassy adding that the 2018 contract with Lockheed Martin includes an option for four additional aircraft. The value of the contract remains undisclosed.

The plane’s departure from Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Greenville, South Carolina, was noted by flight tracking providers on January 21.

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Algeria joins Tunisia as the second C-130J-30 operator in North Africa. To date, Lockheed Martin recognizes 22 countries as Super Hercules operators, with Germany, Indonesia and New Zealand having yet to receive their first aircraft.