Washington, Oct 28: The Pentagon has notified the US Congress on the possibility of sale of six more C-130J super Hercules transport planes to India worth USD 1.2 billion that will equip the country with a credible special operations airlift capability to deter aggression in the region.
The six aircraft is in addition to the six being already purchased by India from Lockheed Martin. The Lockheed Martin C-130J “Super” Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.
In a notification to the Congress, the Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) said that the Indian Government has requested a possible sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of USD 1.2 billion.
Besides the aircraft, the India request include six Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines, eight AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (two of them spares), eight AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers (two of them spares).
India has also ordered eight AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems (two of them spares), eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites (two of them spares), eight ARC-210 Radios (Non-COMSEC) and 3200 Flare Cartridges.
“The estimated cost is USD 1.2 billion,” DSCA said in a statement.
The Pentagon said the proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of an important partner and to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship.
Sale of Super Hercules will provide India with a credible special operations airlift capability that will help deter aggression in the region and provide enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support, Lockheed Martin had said earlier.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the DSCA said.
