US okays $96 million sale of spares and support for Super Hercules 130J to India

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has approved the sale of $96 million worth of equipment, spare parts and logistical support for C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes to enable the Indian Air Force to sustain a higher mission-ready status fleet.

India needs this support for its Super Hercules aircraft to ensure its aircraft operate effectively to serve its transport, local and international humanitarian assistance, and regional disaster relief needs, the Defence Security Co-operation Agency said in a notification to the Congress last Friday.

India is also using these cargo planes for delivering emergency supplies to quake-hit Nepal and evacuating people stranded in the Himalayan nation.

"This proposed sale of additional equipment and support will enable the Indian Air Force to sustain a higher mission-ready status for its C-130J fleet," it said.

State Department determination in this regard comes after India requested for a five-year support to its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules.

This includes eight spare AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems, six spare AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers, up to 9,000 flare cartridges, spare and repair parts, configuration updates, support and test equipment, publications and technical data, technical services, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to improve the capabilities of a major South Asian partner which has been, and continues to be, an important force for economic progress and stability in South Asia," the Defence Security Co-operation Agency said.

Lockheed Martin would be the principal contractor for this possible foreign military sale.

India had purchased six US-made C-130J Super Hercules planes out of which one crashed in March last year.