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India Defence Online, New Delhi – The Indian Air Force (IAF) has finally inducted the C-130 J Super Hercules transport aircraft in its fleet. The Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony formally commissioned the U.S made C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft into the newly formed 77 Squadron of the IAF at Hindon air base in Uttar Pradesh.
The C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft by Lockheed Martin aims at plugging the gaps in the load-carrying capabilities of the IAF. Currently, the Russian Ilyushin-76 and Antonov-32 are being used as transport aircraft for the IAF and the Super Hercules will augment the operational and combat capacity of the IAF. The C-130 J combines the latest in aerospace technology with a proven, rugged airframe design giving greater capability with greater operational efficiency.
The deal for six C-130j aircraft was materialised through a government-to- government deal between the US Air force and India. The contract with the US includes training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spares, ground support and test equipment, servicing carts, forklifts, loading vehicles, cargo pallets and a team of technical specialists who will be based in India during a three-year initial support period. US firm Lockheed Martin has helped the IAF to modernise the home base of the C-130Js and created infrastructure for housing 12 such aircraft there along with creating servicing and operations facilities for the aircraft. Lockheed Martin has also pumped in $260 million into the Indian defence sector under the offsets clause.
The US designed Super Hercules aircraft consists of a highly integrated and sophisticated configuration which focuses on the IAF’s special operations requirement. The aircraft is equipped with an Infrared Detection Set (IDS) and can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. The C-130J is the advanced version of Hercules with four powerful engines and around 20-tonne payload-carrying capacity.
One of the salient features of the C-130 J is its capability of landing on makeshift airstrips due to its rugged nature. It will be used mainly for covert airlift missions of the special force’s and it will also be able to swiftly transport combat-ready troops to border areas. In addition, these aircraft will have re-fuelling probes, advance radar warning receivers and a counter-measures dispensing system for extended range and additional safety. However, due to the lack of CISMOA defence agreement between India and US which would enable India the access to advanced and sensitive technologies, the C-130 J will be without some of the critical communication equipment that is fitted on the U.S aircraft.
Indian defence news and strategic intelligence
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