Turkey's defence ministry announced the crash, near Georgia's border with Azerbaijan, and said it was co-ordinating with Georgian authorities to reach the site.
While finishing a speech in Ankara, Erdogan was handed a note by his aides after which he said he was saddened to hear about the plane's crash.
"God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships. May God rest the soul of our martyrs and let us be with them through our prayers," he said.
Erdogan, his office and the ministry did not say what caused the crash, and they did not provide the number of casualties.Â
Local media said, without citing numbers, that there were both Turkish and Azeri personnel on board.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said he had spoken by phone to his Georgian counterpart, adding the Georgian minister was en route to the crash site.
The Georgian Interior Ministry said the aircraft crashed in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality, close to the Azerbaijani border, adding that an investigation has been launched.
C-130 military cargo planes are widely used by Turkey's armed forces for transporting personnel and handling logistical operations.
Turkey and Azerbaijan maintain close military co-operation.
Video footage aired on Turkish news outlets appeared to show the aircraft spiralling down and leaving a trail of white smoke.
with AP
