IAF opts for another six Lockheed C-130J transporters
03 Oct 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will exercise options for another six Lockheed Martin-built C-130J Super Hercules special operations transport aircraft in addition to the six already ordered. This was revealed by Indian Air Force chief, air chief marshal NAK Browne. Five of these versatile transporters have already been delivered by the manufacturer ahead of schedule.
The IAF had signed a deal for six C-130J aircraft for about $1.1 billion with Lockheed Martin on 31 January 2008. Along with advance delivery of aircraft appropriate infrastructure for their upkeep and maintenance has also been established. Pilots too have received appropriate training.
ACM Browne also said that the sixth and last of the aircraft was due in India in the first half of November.
The first of six aircraft was delivered in December 2010.
According to ACM Browne discussions with the US Government and the company for the new batch of six aircraft were on and he expected the order to be signed by January 2012, or in about three months from now. "We are very satisfied with the aircraft's performance," he observed.
The C-130Js went into operational action for the first time to provide relief to Sikkim earthquake victims. Within the first couple of days, IAF airlifted lifted 188.75 tonnes of equipment, 735 personnel, including 20.48 tonnes of food, 6 tonnes of medicines, 8.5 tonnes of fuel and about 51.81 tonnes of relief material.