New Delhi: India is all set to induct the last of the six C-130J Super Hercules cargo plane for its Special Forces this weekend, with the US major Lockheed Martin flying out the aircraft from its Marietta facility near Atlanta in US on Dec 15.
The aircraft fleet of six was bought by India in January 2008 for $1.2 billion and Lockheed Martin began delivery of the fleet in January 2011. The first of the six aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad near the Indian capital in February this year.
"Number six of the six C-130J Super Hercules ordered by India, under the US Foreign Military Sales programme, departed Marietta on Dec 15. This aircraft, like its five predecessors, was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget," a Lockheed Martin official told IANS.
"The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Hindon this weekend," an IAF officer told IANS, when asked about its arrival.
Since ordering the six planes for its Special Forces operations, India has made a case for buying additional six of these aircraft and the agreement in this regard is all ready for signing, according to the IAF official.
The IAF has already used these planes for carrying out operations, particularly of the humanitarian assistance variety soon after the fleet's induction.
23/12/11 IANS/Economic Times
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