Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for an additional batch of six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft. IAF operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules and the last aircraft delivery was taken in November 2019. idrw.org was informed that IAF always wanted to maintain a fleet of 18 aircraft that can be used for Tactical operations and Transporation and will approach the Ministry of Defence (MoD) soon for clearing the third batch.
India has inducted six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which were bought from the US at the cost of around Rs 6000 crore in 2008 and another 6 in 2013. IAF lost one C-130J Transporter in a 2014 accident and a replacement of which was ordered in 2016 that was delivered in 2019. India’s Hindon Air Station is home to the IAF’s C-130J fleet and over the years IAF has augmented its infrastructure to house and operate 18 Tactical Transporter.
The empennages (tail assembly) of the C130-Js are made at Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad, making it the sole supplier globally.
