The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday announced the formation of its new squadron — “Veiled Vipers” — comprising the C-130J “Super Hercules” military transport aircraft that India is acquiring. The first of the six aircraft — ordered for by India three years ago from US military aviation company Lockheed Martin — was inducted into the IAF on Saturday afternoon at the Hindan air-base near Delhi. The other five aircraft will be inducted by the end of this year.
The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like high-resolution mapping radars and also the systems to deflect the course of missiles targeted at it. When asked about the absence of a certain kind of communication equipment since India has not signed the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement with the US, the IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, said that the absence of that equipment “does not make any difference” as that equipment is required to communicate with the Americans in a given situation.
He expressed satisfaction with the communications and other equipment on board the IAF C-130J and added that this was the “first US aircraft to fly in IAF colours” in recent times. The IAF also stated that the C-130J will be able to undertake quick deployment of the Special Forces “in all-weather conditions, including air-drops and landings on unprepared or semi-prepared surfaces even in complete darkness”.
When asked whether India could acquire six more C-130Js, defence minister A.K. Antony merely said that India is acquiring more military transport aircraft like the C-17s (from US aviation giant Boeing) and that the deal was in the “final stages”.
But whether there will be a follow-up order of six more C-130Js is unclear.
Mr Antony also said that the Super Hercules aircraft would add more “muscle” to the IAF.
When asked about the recent incidents of air-crashes, Mr Antony said that every effort is being continued to be made to ensure the operational maintenance of all IAF aircraft. IAF sources said that a MiG-21 squadron could be phased out by next year.
The IAF is engaged in the process of phasing out its old aircraft while inducting new ones.