Lockheed to deliver IAF's C-130J Super Hercules ahead of schedule

American defence contractor, Lockheed Martin, has said it would deliver the first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Indian Air Force in December this year, three months ahead of its planned induction in the first quarter of 2011. The company also said it was looking ahead to receiving a Letter of Request (LOR) from the Indian government for six more of these specially configured aircraft.

KC-130

"We are hoping to receive the LOR for providing six additional aircraft by this year but can't say when," Lockheed's India vice president Orville Prins said here at the ongoing DefExpo.

The IAF had ordered six C-130Js in a Special Forces configuration in 2008, and had retained options for an additional six.

Lockheed is currently engaged in setting up infrastructure at the IAF's Hindan air base near Delhi for the C-130Js.

Prins also said the contract order provides for three years of initial support, crew training and maintenance technicians, spares, ground support and test equipment, as well as a team of technical specialists who will be based in India during the three year initial support period.

Also included is supply of customised operational equipment designed to increase special operations capabilities of these aircraft.

Prins indicated interest in the aircraft from several other paramilitary wings of the Government of India, including the Border Security Force and the Indian Coast Guard.