India seeking follow-on support for C-130J aircraft

A Foreign Military Sale deal to provide follow-on support to India for C-130J Super Hercules transports in is in the works.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees the FMS program, has submitted the required notification of the proposed sale to Congress and said the U.S. State Department had already approved it.

"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," DSCA said. "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."

The value of the support package is about $96 million.

The proposed package deal includes the supply of eight AN/ALE-47 counter-measures dispensing systems, six spare AN/ALR-56M advanced radar warning receivers, as many as 9,000 flare cartridges, spare and repair parts, configuration updates, and support and test equipment.

Logistics services would also be part of the deal.

The principal contractor would be Lockheed-Martin. U.S. government and/or contractor personnel would not be required to travel to India upon implementation of the sale, DSCA said.