Just received this from Lockheed-Martin: Number six of the six C-130J Super Hercules ordered by India, under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, departed Marietta on December 15. This aircraft, like its five predecessors, was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Indian Air Force is in the process of finalising a contract for six more C-130Js, taking its total order of the aircraft to twelve. The IAF’s Hercs are part of 77 Squadron Veiled Vipers, based at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of Delhi.
How things change. Today is Vijay Diwas (Victory Day), the 40th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 war. It was during this war that Indian pilots shot up American aircraft in Pakistan, including, in fact, a C-130 Hercules at Chaklala base by Admiral Arun Prakash (then a young navy pilot on deputation to the IAF).
Photo / Lockheed-Martin
Excellent, no delays, no cost rise. USA continue to impress as a reliable arms supplier.
fantastic
You know shiv i am sure everyone has noticed the small 1971 war logo on the banner title of your blog but nobody has commented on that aspect. it is a small thing, but is a very touching aspect you have put up in memory of the great war victory. wanted to record my appreciation for your taking pains for small things that make a difference to your readers like us. thank you and all the best.
navjivan mittal
"This aircraft, like its five predecessors, was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget."
Have this ever happend with India in the last ~30year?
Gotta compliment the yanks for delivering under budget and on-time. Does that mean we will get a refund? 😉
Hope these birds get the kit to allow them to serve as tankers (KC-130 configuration). Also Brahmos can be integrated in.
This will maximize their potential and utility.
hey shiv whats that black equipment under the nose. not seen this on previous jets
is it something special????
Dear Shiv
Just getting very anxiuos abt the MMRCA.It was supposed to be declared mid december.But many realiable defence blogs are citing that it might be cancelled or deayed further becuase of the economic downturn, depreciating rupee.Now if this happens it will be big blow to the IAF which is blogged bu dwindling squadrons.Can u get some inforamation regarding this please
[email protected]: According to the IAF chief, the answer to your question would be yes. When I asked him that exact question in October, he said the savings made in this contract would be passed on to the next in the form of a discount of $60-80 million.
@alma: To my knowledge, no, but I could be wrong.
@sahanshu: That looks like an EO sensor payload. The previous jets have the same mounting point. This one just has the sensor integrated.
[email protected]: Don't hold your breath! Word doing the rounds suggests it could be sometime in Jan (perhaps even Feb) that the lowest bidder will be known. Rumours about program cancellation have been swirling, you're right, but they've been swirling from before. Will post when there's something solid to report. There's been enough cloak-and-dagger on the MMRCA, including, I humbly submit, on this blog 😀
Thanks shiv…for ur early response to our queries…..Hope mmrca sails thru smoothly…One more favour…Kindly try if possible to get some info regarding the RFP for 66000 ARs for Indian army and the probable vendors….and post this in ur blog.I wonder if the israeli tavor will participate…
ToI website now reporting a deal for 42 more Sukhois
[email protected]: This was contract signature. The decision to purchase these was taken a good while back. Will be posting an update on this shortly.
The C-130s have been delivered ahead of schedule.Never in the history of the IAF such a devlopment has ever taken place.Since many countries are opting for F-35s, F-16s and now the Swiss have chosen the Gripen there seems to be a diminishing hope for heavy and expensive jets like Typhoon and Rafale.For the 126 MMRCA contract they should reconsider the F-35 in near future but for the time being a fast track order of 42 or 63 Rafales would be adequate to tide over the crisis. After 2016 the JSF can always be given a second thought.
Sahanshu: shiv is correct. the black object you see is the AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III advanced multi-sensor EO payload built by FLIR systems. Supposedly one of the best systems available.
Keep on ordering a few Hercules' every year. Build up inventory. Whereas India is at the tail end of developing a fighter aircraft (the LCA), it's heavy transport aircraft infrastructure is non-existent. India will be dependent on foreign nations for good transport aircraft for a very long more time to come.