IAF may double orders for Lockheed’s C-130J Super Hercules
11 Oct 2011
New Delhi: Lockheed Martin's India office may have reasons to feel cheerful about their company's prospects in the country, in particular after the successful execution of the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft contract. Impressed with before-time deliveries as well as the performance of the aircraft in the recent earthquake relief operations in the mountainous state of Sikkim, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively considering acquiring more than the 12 aircraft that it has plans to induct.
With the last of six C-130Js from an original 2008 contract to be delivered in November, and a follow-on order for six more to be signed shortly, the IAF has indicated it may take on additional numbers of these tactical special mission aircraft than a dozen.
Though no figures have been mentioned defence sources indicate that the fleet may double in size to 24 aircraft.
''It is historic,'' IAF chief, air chief marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne says of the current order. ''This is the first time in history that we have received aircraft earlier than the stipulated date. This has never happened before and is a new experience.''
He added that two C-130Js that had been pressed into earthquake relief duties in late September had performed ''extremely well.''
The IAF's C-130Js operate as part of the 77 Squadron ('Veiled Vipers') at the Hindon Air Force Base just outside New Delhi.
