Defence

The US Congress has been notified of the possible $1.06 billion sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports to India, for use by the country's special-operations forces. If completed, the deal will represent the first major US military aircraft deal with New Delhi, writes Graham Warwick.

The proposed foreign military sales deal would be for six US Air Force baseline-standard C-130Js equipped with AAR-47 missile warning systems, ALR-56M radar warning receivers, ALQ-211 radio-frequency countermeasures systems, ALE-47 countermeasures dispensers, FLIR Systems AAQ-22 Star Safire III electro-optical/infrared sensors, and a suite of secure radios.

Although the initial deal would be for six aircraft, India is widely expected to need more aircraft both for its special forces and to augment and eventually replace its Antonov An-32 transports. However, New Delhi also plans to develop its own replacement, the twin-turbofan Multirole Transport Aircraft, in a joint venture with Russia.

Lockheed promoted its C-130J at the last two Aero India air shows in Bangalore, along with its F-16 fighter, on offer for a 126-aircraft requirement.