C-130 & P8-I Pics in search of MH370 in Indian Ocean

[RPK]

Crew of C-130 of the Indian Air Force during their SAR mission in the Southern Corridor on 23 March, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Capt Jhajj of Indian Navy flying the P8-I during SAR mission on 23 March over sub sector S-3 in the Southern Corridor, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Radar Snapshot of P8-I of Indian Navy showing cyclonic storm, which the aircraft skillfully skirted while reaching its allotted SAR sector in the Southern Corridor on 23 Mar, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Crew of C-130 of the Indian Air Force during their SAR mission in the Southern Corridor on 23 March, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Indian Navy aircraft P8i and it's crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in #Malaysiasetting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean. #MH370

 

[OrionHunter]

Nice! Way to go!

 

[RPK]

Indian Air Force aircraft C-130 Hercules and its crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in Malaysia setting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean.#MH370

 

[Gessler]

Whoa, why are they releasing such sensitive images?

BTW thats 132 NM or 244 kilometers on the screen. Is that the area being scanned at that point of time.

 

[trident2010]

nice pics

 

[sancho]

Wasn't INs Bears used too, any pics from them or IL 38s?

 

[Gessler]

Wasn't INs Bears used too, any pics from them or IL 38s?

PSG says Bears weren't used.

Also :

 

[T90TankGuy]

Crew of C-130 of the Indian Air Force during their SAR mission in the Southern Corridor on 23 March, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Capt Jhajj of Indian Navy flying the P8-I during SAR mission on 23 March over sub sector S-3 in the Southern Corridor, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Radar Snapshot of P8-I of Indian Navy showing cyclonic storm, which the aircraft skillfully skirted while reaching its allotted SAR sector in the Southern Corridor on 23 Mar, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Crew of C-130 of the Indian Air Force during their SAR mission in the Southern Corridor on 23 March, as part of the International SAR Mission under Malaysia

Indian Navy aircraft P8i and it's crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in #Malaysiasetting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean. #MH370

The guy in the third snap looks a lot like suresh kalamadi

 

[Abingdonboy]

Indian Air Force aircraft C-130 Hercules and its crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in Malaysia setting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean.#MH370

Indian Navy aircraft P8i and it's crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in #Malaysiasetting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean. #MH370

Also :

I wasn't aware that Indian assets had been operating out of Malaysia .

 

[Abingdonboy]

 

[sancho]

One must wonder what benefit the C130 would bring in this mission, especially when IN could deploy IL 38s from the forwarded bases too, or when the Tu 142s might have far more range and endurance even from shore bases. Not to mention that these aircrafts would have far better systems for these kind of missions.

 

[Indischer]

Wasn't INs Bears used too, any pics from them or IL 38s?

You sure? I don't remember reading anywhere about them taking part in these SAR ops.

I wasn't aware that Indian assets had been operating out of Malaysia .

Only two planes have been based there for now. These two planes are part of the multinational task force of 24 planes searching the Indian Ocean.

 

[sancho]

You sure? I don't remember reading anywhere about them taking part in these SAR ops.


Only two planes have been based there for now. These two planes are part of the multinational task force of 24 planes searching the Indian Ocean.

That's what I meant, I was wondering why the C130s were used instead of propper MPAs like the Bears or IL 38s and how effective the C130 actually can be in this role compared to these aircrafts.

 

[Indischer]

One must wonder what benefit the C130 would bring in this mission, especially when IN could deploy IL 38s from the forwarded bases too, or when the Tu 142s might have far more range and endurance even from shore bases. Not to mention that these aircrafts would have far better systems for these kind of missions.

Perplexing decision really. The only explanation(and a weak one too) is that RMAF also operates C 130s and hence IAF could rely on RMAF for any minor servicing needs.

 

[Abingdonboy]

That's what I meant, I was wondering why the C130s were used instead of propper MPAs like the Bears or IL 38s and how effective the C130 actually can be in this role compared to these aircrafts.

Only way I can rationalise it is this- availability. What kind of availability do these aged Russian birds offer? I can't imagine it's anything spectacular nothing like the 85-90% the IAF's C-130J fleet is able to deliver. The Bears that are free are likely already engaged in day-day ops and can't be pulled off them.

The P-8Is and C-130Js by the very contracts the IN and IAF signed are mandated to have high degrees of availability.

Additionally the C-130Js as the IAF's rapid response/ spec ops assets do not have routine day to day taskings. At least 1-2 birds are kept ready around the clock for special missions- whether they be airlifting NDRF btns, relief supplies on humanitarian missions or transporting and supporting SOFs.

The C-130Js equipped with their EO/IR pods and substantial range can be useful in such a search more so than the IL-76s being used by the PLAF out of Perth who have little more than human eyes alone to search for debris.