India wants more of THESE 'super planes'

The Pentagon has notified the United States Congress on the possibility of the sale of six more C-130J super Hercules transport planes to India worth $1.2 billion that will equip the country with a credible special operations airlift capability to deter aggression in the region.

The six aircraft is in addition to the six being already purchased by India from Lockheed Martin.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.

In a notification to the Congress, the Defense Security Co-operation Agency said that the Indian government has requested a possible sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.

Besides the aircraft, India's request includes six Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines, eight AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (two of them spares), eight AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers (two of them spares).

India has also ordered eight AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems (two of them spares), eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites (two of them spares), eight ARC-210 Radios (Non-COMSEC) and 3200 Flare Cartridges.

"The estimated cost is $1.2 billion," DSCA said in a statement.

The Pentagon said the proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of an important partner and strengthen the US-India strategic relationship.

The sale of Super Hercules will provide India with a credible special operations airlift capability that will help deter aggression in the region and provide enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support, Lockheed Martin had said earlier.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the DSCA said.

The sale of six C-130J Super Hercules is in addition to the equal number of it being already purchased by India from Lockheed Martin at an estimated cost of $1.059 billion. The deliveries of these planes are running ahead of schedule.

The fifth of six C-130J Super Hercules had departed the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta in September this year. The final aircraft is scheduled to be delivered anytime now.

The C-130 sale to India was the first in over 40 years, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said.

The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.

The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to $1.059 billion.

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set, the aircraft can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and land in blackout conditions, Lockheed said.

"Self-protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments," a Lockheed spokesman said, adding that the aircraft is equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

The most advanced air-lifter ever built, the C-130J combines the latest in aerospace technology with a proven, rugged airframe design, resulting in an aircraft that gives an operator more capability with greater operational efficiency.

These Super Hercules are longer fuselage or "stretched" variant of the C-130J, similar to those being delivered to the US Air Force.

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set, these aircraft are able to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landing in blackout conditions.

The C-130J Super Hercules will provide the Indian Air Force with modern and effective airlift to support a wide range of national requirements