On October 2, 2020, the United States (US) Department of Defence i.e. The Pentagon has approved India’s request to buy USD 90 million worth of equipment, spare parts and logistical support for its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft, procured from the US. The sale would be executed by defence major Lockheed-Martin.
- The decision behind this proposed sale is to effectively serve the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), in transport requirements, humanitarian assistance and regional disaster relief. The IAF currently operates a fleet of five C-130J-30s and has placed order for additional six C-130J-30s Super Hercules aircraft.
- It is to be noted that India is one of the 17 countries to whom the US has sold its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Points to be noted:
–Notification of the above kin of major sales is mandatory under the Arms Export Control Act, 1976.
In the summer of 2013, IAF performed the highest landing of a C-130J at the Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh at the height of 16,614 ft.
Items ordered by India:
Aircraft consumables spares and repair or return parts; ground support and equipment; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) fire extinguisher cartridges; flare cartridges; BBU-35/B cartridge impulse squibs, one spare AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receiver shipset; spare AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System shipset; ten Lightweight Night Vision Binocular (F5032); ten AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggle (NVG)(F4949); GPS and Electronic Warfare.
Recent Related News:
i.On 12th May 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) of the United States of America has promised 3.6 million USD (around 27 crores) to the government of India, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.On July 30, 2020, the United States’ (US) 5th Mars Mission “Mars 2020” initiated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) after launching the biggest Mars rover named “Perseverance”, which was lifted off by United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, United States (US).
About United States:
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollar
President– Donald John Trump
