India inducts first C-130J, but without critical equipment (Second Lead)

HINDON - The Indian Air Force (IAF) Saturday inducted an American-made C-130J-30 Super Hercules airlifter to boost its special operations capability, but the aircraft is without critical equipment as India has not signed a crucial pact with the US for communications inter-operability.

The aircraft, first of the six that India ordered from the US for $950 million in 2008, was formally handed over to Group Captain Tejbir Singh, the first commanding officer of IAF’s newly-created 77 Squadron, by Defence Minister A.K. Antony here.

The Lockheed Martin-manufactured C-130J is the first military aircraft inducted by India from the US through the foreign military sales routes in decades. The other five aircraft are scheduled for delivery one after the other by the end of this year.

The plane was flown by an IAF crew to India from Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing facility at Marietta in Georgia, US. The new squadron will be nicknamed as Veiled Vipers with a motto “strike to kill”.

Replying to a question about the equipment on the aircraft with India not signing the Communications Interoperability and Security Memoradum of Agreement (CISMOA) with the US, Antony said the government would not buy any equipment for its armed forces “with strings attached” to it. “Our air force can operate them,” he said.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik said the pact was for communicating with American platforms and not signing it would not make much difference. “We have our own communication system and yes, we will be integrating them on the aircraft. They are already being made and they will be put on the aircraft,” he added.

At the induction ceremony attended by US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer and US Air Force (USAF) chief General Norton A. Schwartz, Antony said it was a red letter day for the IAF and the C-130J would “add more muscle” to the air force to meet its growing mandate.

“It is a highly useful platform that operates multiple capabilities. It is expected to take the joint war-fighting capabilities of the Indian armed forces to further heights. I am sure IAF will utilise this machine to its full potential,” he said.

Noting that the aircraft was “the best in its class”, Antony said India was today on a steady and sustained path of economic growth that brought with it regional and global obligations.

“We have already fulfilled our international commitments in a manner befitting our stature. We have tirelessly strived for peace and stability in our immediate and extended neighbourhood. India has always been a strong votary of building an atmosphere of trust and cooperation between the countries of the region,” he said.

“However, we also believe a credible and strong armed forces are also essential in maintaining peace and stability. The government stands fully committed to provide the latest and best equipment to our armed forces. Today’s induction is one such instance. We will not spare anything to ensure the IAF continues to maintain its qualitative edge at all times,” he added.

Naik, in his address, said the most potent and versatile aricraft’s induction into the IAF inventory was a milestone in the air force’s modernisation plans set in motion already to take it on the path of transformation to meet its future challenges.

He said future operations would be carried out at a high tempo enabled by a plethora of networked sensors and dominated by aerospace capabilities.

“The C-130J fills a very important slot in this matrix. It adds an exciting new dynamism to the IAF by bringing in enhanced capability in range, payload, versatility and special operations to cover the entire spectrum of air mobility missions. We have doctrinally prepared to deploy such platforms in operations for quite sometime,” Naik added.

About the Indian special forces being able to operate on the aircraft, he said since the aircraft had just arrived, they would need to train on the platform first.

The aircraft, with precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landing in blackout conditions capabilities, has a maximum cruise speed of 355 knots or 660 kmph. The maximum takeoff weight is 75,390 kg and it can carry a maximum payload of 21,770 kg. The four-engine turboprop plane can be used for troop deployment, special operations, air-to-air refuelling, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid operations.