India Buys 6 C-130J-30 Hercules for Special Forces + 6 Options
February 7th, 2008
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In May 2006, India Defence quoted Air Chief S.P. Tyagi saying that “the IAF is planning to buy C-130J planes” for its special forces and Border Security Forces. Reports indicate that the IAF is particularly attracted to the C-130J’s ability to land and take off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights. Those characteristics have served the Hercules well in other anti-terrorism scenarios like Operation Yonatan in Entebbe, and are now more routine maneuvers thanks to the C-130J Hercules’ modern avionics and increased engine power. DID has also noted the ‘J’ model’s good performance in “hot and high” conditions, which can reduce the useful load of older Hercules or similar transport aircraft by 50-60%.
The new planes will be bracketed by India’s larger Ilyushin IL-76 jet transports on the high end, and on the lower end by twin-engine Antonov AN-32 turboprops. India’s interest in the Hercules is quite specific to the Special Forces at the moment; but the plane’s capacity for additional specialty operations like aerial refueling both enhances those operations, and gives the IAF a number of additional employment options. The AN-32s are currently undergoing mid-life refurbishment, and a joint project with Russia’s Irkut looks set to develop a Hercules competitor in time for the AN-32’s replacement cycle. Nevertheless, this deal is still a major inroad into the Indian market for Lockheed Martin – one that could develop further on a number of fronts. Indian newspapers are now reporting that a Letter of Agreement has been signed, and further details have emerged…
Contracts & Key Events
C-130J vs. C-130J-30
via CASR
(click to view full)Feb 6/08: Indian newspapers report that the deal for C-130J aircraft has been signed already, and are beginning to leak details. Early indications are that India has bought 6 C-130J-30 stretched versions, with an option for 6 more, and that Lockheed Martin has agreed to follow India’s 30% industrial offsets rule. American Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force Bruce Lemkin, who handles U.S. Air Force international affairs, also confirmed a deal to Reuters, but gave fewer specifics.
The Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal FH Major, told the India Strategic website and defence magazine that a Letter of Agreement (LAO) was signed on Jan 30/08 in a quiet New Delhi ceremony. It covers 6 aircraft, plus infrastructure, spares and spare engines, related equipment, and operational and maintenance training – essentially, the package outlined in the DSCA release below. He added that “India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations,” and said that “It would be a couple of metres longer than the standard Hercules aircraft, and equipped with equipment for night and battle zone operations.”
He is almost certainly describing the C-130J-30 stretched version, which is 15 feet longer than the C-130J. The DSCA’s noted package of communications equipment, ground collision avoidance and other night operations features, and electronic countermeasures would make India’s C-130J-30s the most advanced transports in their fleet by a wide margin.
More on link
February 7th, 2008
Article Link
In May 2006, India Defence quoted Air Chief S.P. Tyagi saying that “the IAF is planning to buy C-130J planes” for its special forces and Border Security Forces. Reports indicate that the IAF is particularly attracted to the C-130J’s ability to land and take off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights. Those characteristics have served the Hercules well in other anti-terrorism scenarios like Operation Yonatan in Entebbe, and are now more routine maneuvers thanks to the C-130J Hercules’ modern avionics and increased engine power. DID has also noted the ‘J’ model’s good performance in “hot and high” conditions, which can reduce the useful load of older Hercules or similar transport aircraft by 50-60%.
The new planes will be bracketed by India’s larger Ilyushin IL-76 jet transports on the high end, and on the lower end by twin-engine Antonov AN-32 turboprops. India’s interest in the Hercules is quite specific to the Special Forces at the moment; but the plane’s capacity for additional specialty operations like aerial refueling both enhances those operations, and gives the IAF a number of additional employment options. The AN-32s are currently undergoing mid-life refurbishment, and a joint project with Russia’s Irkut looks set to develop a Hercules competitor in time for the AN-32’s replacement cycle. Nevertheless, this deal is still a major inroad into the Indian market for Lockheed Martin – one that could develop further on a number of fronts. Indian newspapers are now reporting that a Letter of Agreement has been signed, and further details have emerged…
Contracts & Key Events
C-130J vs. C-130J-30
via CASR
(click to view full)Feb 6/08: Indian newspapers report that the deal for C-130J aircraft has been signed already, and are beginning to leak details. Early indications are that India has bought 6 C-130J-30 stretched versions, with an option for 6 more, and that Lockheed Martin has agreed to follow India’s 30% industrial offsets rule. American Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force Bruce Lemkin, who handles U.S. Air Force international affairs, also confirmed a deal to Reuters, but gave fewer specifics.
The Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal FH Major, told the India Strategic website and defence magazine that a Letter of Agreement (LAO) was signed on Jan 30/08 in a quiet New Delhi ceremony. It covers 6 aircraft, plus infrastructure, spares and spare engines, related equipment, and operational and maintenance training – essentially, the package outlined in the DSCA release below. He added that “India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations,” and said that “It would be a couple of metres longer than the standard Hercules aircraft, and equipped with equipment for night and battle zone operations.”
He is almost certainly describing the C-130J-30 stretched version, which is 15 feet longer than the C-130J. The DSCA’s noted package of communications equipment, ground collision avoidance and other night operations features, and electronic countermeasures would make India’s C-130J-30s the most advanced transports in their fleet by a wide margin.
More on link
