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Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P V Naik
told India Strategic in an interview
that the IAF was giving equal importance to the
acquisition of combat and transport aircraft as
part of the “transformation process”
now under way and that the infrastructure to operate
the C 130Js from Hindon airbase near the Indian
capital was nearing completion.
IAF and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) had
signed an agreement with the US Air Force (USAF)
and Department of Defense (DoD) to buy six Lockheed
Martin C 130Js in January 2008 in a package deal
of around USD one billion.
There is an option to buy an additional six aircraft,
without any cost escalation, but Air Chief Marshal
Naik said that while the IAF was considering this,
a decision was likely after the first C 130Js
would be received.
“We will see them, and then exercise the
option.”
The US Government is selling the aircraft under
its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, through
the USAF.
According to Lockheed Martin, all the six aircraft
are under various stages of construction. A picture
of three of them being built was recently released
by the company while one C 130J, already painted
in IAF colours, is under pre-delivery flying tests.
The C 130J is a multirole airlifter with night
landing capability from football playground size
air strips and battlefields. The IAF C 130J will
also be equipped with midair refueling probe.
USAF and DoD are involved in overseeing the fulfilment
of contractual obligations by Lockheed Martin,
and at present, 10 IAF pilots are undergoing training
as part of the support package. Eight more will
be sent shortly.
Air Chief Marshal Naik said that all aircraft
now come with their simulators and support and
training packages. There is renewed emphasis on
training and safety, both of which are crucial
for mission success.
On an earlier occasion, the Air Chief has observed
that mission succes means destruction of an enemy
and safe return of own aircraft and pilots.
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