US to deliver six C-130J-30 Hercules transporters to Indian Air Force by 2011
18 Mar 2008
The Indian Government has signed a Letter of Offer & Acceptance with the US Government for the procurement of six C-130J-30 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The estimated value of the aircraft along with associated ground support equipment, ground handling equipment and role equipment is $962,454,677.
The delivery of these aircraft is likely to be completed by December 2011.
Defence minister, AK Antony, in a written reply to Lok Sabha members, Hansraj G Ahir and Milind Deora, provided this information.
C-130J-30
The C-130J-30 is the stretched version of the C-130J, with the cargo floor length increased from 40ft to 55ft. This gives the aircraft a significant increase in airlift capability.
This version of the C-130J can carry eight 463L pallets, 97 litters, 24 CDS (US Container Delivery System) bundles, 128 equipped combat troops or 92 paratroopers.
The US Air Force has 39 of these aircraft on order, deliveries of which have begun from end-2001. The Royal Australian Air Force (12), the Italian Air Force (ten), the Kuwaiti Air Force (four) and the Danish Air Force (three) are some of the other customers.