NEWS
On December 20, 2013, India signed a Rs. 4,000-crore deal with the United States for six C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) through the foreign military sales (FMS) route. The proposal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the Prime Minister. The IAF already has a fleet of six similar planes acquired at a cost of Rs. 5,500 crore which are based at Hindon airbase. The IAF uses it for carrying out special operations including landing on inhospitable airstrips in the Ladakh area. The new lot of six planes will be located at Panagarh in West Bengal, which would be the headquarters of the proposed Mountain Strike Corps of the Army along the Sino-Indian border.

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The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a versatile military transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin of the United States. In service with the US since the 1950s, the C-130J-30, 15-feet longer than the C-130J aircraft, is the newest and highly advanced version of the Hercules family and is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engines fitted with new and efficient six-bladed propellers, delivering 4,637 shaft horsepower each. The modern flight deck features digital avionics and a glass cockpit with four L-3 liquid crystal display systems. The C-130J was first inducted into the United States Air Force (USAF) in April 2004. So far, nearly 2,500 aircraft of the Hercules family have been built for 67 countries.

It was after Aero India 2005 during which the C-130J Super Hercules was displayed for the first time in India that the IAF began to seriously consider acquiring this aircraft for special operations. The IAF was particularly impressed by the ability of the aircraft to operate from semi-prepared, short and by night from unlit runways, attributes that are essential prerequisites for operations in anti-terrorism scenarios. The aircraft is equipped with navigational aids and equipment with which it can undertake precision low-level flying, aerial delivery both by day and night. Self-protection systems and other features are provided on the platform to improve aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments. The aircraft is also equipped with air-to-air receiver refuelling capability for extended range operations. With engines delivering higher power, compared to its predecessors, the J model delivers good performance in hot and high operating conditions.

However, as the IAF did not agree to sign the somewhat restrictive communications interoperability and security memorandum of agreement (CISMOA) end-user monitoring agreement, the terms of which were not quite acceptable, it will not receive the related communications and security equipment, which according to the US is of sensitive nature. The IAF has integrated an equivalent indigenously developed system in its place. While the primary focus of the IAF is to employ these aircraft for special operations, the fleet can also provide the IAF with both strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. By October 2011, the IAF received all the six aircraft ordered in 2008 under a $1.2-billion contract. The delivery of aircraft concluded on December 20, 2013. After delivery of the recently ordered six aircraft, which are expected to commence in 2016, Number 77 Squadron called Veiled Vipers will reach its full strength of 12 aircraft. This new batch of six aircraft to join the Squadron will also be capable of special operations and the contract includes the supply of six spare Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engines, eight BAe Systems AN/ALR-56M advanced radar warning receivers and AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing systems, eight ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems, eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III special operations suites by FLIR Systems and eight Rockwell Collins ARC-210 radios, and 3,200 flare cartridges.

Consequent to the implementation of the policy on mandatory 30 per cent offset obligation on the part of the foreign vendor awarded defence hardware contracts as enshrined in the Defence Procurement Procedure, some components for the C-130J are now being made in India. Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin, has begun manufacturing the Centre Wing Box of the C-130J for Lockheed Martin. Delivery of this component has already commenced.

Acquisition of this highly capable aircraft by India has not only enhanced the operational capability and prestige of the IAF, it has also served to promote foreign policy and national security objectives of the US through strengthening of the Indo-US strategic partnership. The IAF is now in a better position to help the nation play a more meaningful role in the region. The aircraft has already made an impact in disaster management not only within the country but in the region as well.

Coincidentally, the contract for the six additional C-130J-30 aircraft has been signed amidst escalating diplomatic row between India and the US over the alleged exploitation by an Indian lady diplomat of her Indian domestic help. Deals related to acquisition of military hardware have in the recent past often run aground for a variety of reasons. Fortunately in this case, better sense seems to have prevailed. After all, national security ought not to be held hostage to dispute over an allegedly underpaid maid!