December 21, 2013: More than two years after the Indian Air Force was offered six additional C-130J Super Hercules transports, the Cabinet Committee on Security has finally cleared the deal. A foreign military sales (FMS) contract is likely to be signed shortly with the US Government for the Lockheed Martin-built jet for the Indian Air Force.

The second squadron is likely to be based in West Bengal, augmenting logistics and special operations in the Eastern sector. IAF Chief N.A.K. Browne, who retires at the end of this month, has in the past extolled the virtues of the Super Hercules in Indian service—and also indicated that early deliveries had allowed the IAF to save cost on the follow on package to the tune of Rs 400 crore, as earlier reported by SP's. The C-130J is proving to be a game changing platform for the IAF, with excellent performance during the recent Uttarakhand floods and transfer of relief material to Philippines. Lockheed Martin independently assesses that the IAF may ultimately be looking for a fleet of about 30 C-130Js—18 more than currently envisaged for immediate service. The platform's recent landing at the Daulat Beg Oldie airfield—the highest ever by the type—has been used extensively in publicity material to pitch the type across the world.