Article Posted on : - Dec 18, 2011

IAF's C-130J Super Hercules.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The sixth C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force has taken off from the US to join the fleet at the Hindon air base near here.

"Number six of the six C-130J Super Hercules ordered by India, under the US Foreign Military Sales program, departed Marietta on December 15," Lockheed Martin said in a press release here.

The IAF, which had ordered six of these aircraft under a USD one billion deal, has already inducted five aircraft at the Hindon base for its Special Operations requirements.

The aircraft has been delivered to the IAF "ahead of schedule and under budget", the company said.

At the Air Force Day press conference, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne had praised the delivery schedule of the aircraft.

In its short span of service with the IAF, the aircraft has also created the record for carrying out the longest flight without refuelling (nine hours and 45 minutes).

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 Northeast states.