Article Posted on : - Dec 28, 2011

IAF's C-130J Super Hercules.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The IAF has inducted its sixth C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft procured from the US at the Hindon air base near here.

This is the last of the six C-130J Super Hercules ordered by India under the US Foreign Military Sales programme, IAF officials said.

The IAF had ordered six of these aircraft under a USD one billion deal for its special operations requirements.

The aircraft was recently used to deploy troops at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to rescue a hijacked ship undertaking a 12 hour-long sortie with army's Para Special Forces.

The aircraft have been delivered to India ahead of schedule. At the Air Force Day press conference, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne had praised the delivery schedule of the aircraft.

The IAF is also planning to induct six more such aircraft which will be deployed at the Charbetia air base in Odisha to take care of the requirements in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeastern states.