IAF C-130J Lands At Car Nicobar Base

[SpArK]

IAF C-130J Lands At Car Nicobar Base ​

IAF Statement: In yet another accomplishment, the C-130J super Hercules aircraft touched down at Air Force Station, Car Nicobar on 28 May 2012 on its maiden flight to the island airbase. After almost 6 hours flight from AF Stn Hindan, Group Captain Tejbir Singh, Commanding Officer of the Hercules Squadron accomplished the task of landing at Car Nicobar Air base. The crew was received by the Chief Operations Officer Wing Commander Sanjay M Nijai. The staff from HQ Andaman & Nicobar Command, Air Commodore TK Sinha were also present on the occasion. For some, it was just yet another landing, infact it marked a big leap for the Indian Air Force in projecting its strategic reach even at this remote and far-flung island base of the Indian Air Force. C – 130 J is one of the latest warbird with state of art avionics and defensive suites. This aircraft has the ability to execute special operations which shall involve not only the Air Force elements but also Army and Naval forces to achieve the assigned task by displaying a great synergy between them. This also show cases our ability and operational infrastructure to induct variety of forces & technology. This endorses the vision of our planners to induct this magnificent machine into tech – savvy Indian Air Force. It is indeed a proud and historic moment which will go down the annals of Indian Air Force's only island base rightfully known as 'Commendable Carnic'.

 

[Ignited Mind]

Was this the first time a C-130 landed there?

 

[Abingdonboy]

SWEET!! IAF is really making the most of these a/c- they have already been involved in disaster relief operations and numerous exercises. I think not too long ago C-130s also conducted a round trip Hindon-A&N-Hindon simulated SOF mission.


At this rate we may well see many more than just 12 Hercs in operation with the IAF.

 

[śūnya_0_Zero]

C-130Js are definitely very capable transport aircraft. It was a good decision to induct these into the IAF.

This is the first step when we learn, what is state of the art available in the world .. and gain operational experience. Next we should start absorbing the design philosophies of this highly successful plane into our own defence (and even civilian) production industries.

 

[Ambitious.Asian]

Car Nicobar air base...

 

[baker]

Was this the first time a C-130 landed there?

yes......

"IAF Statement: In yet another accomplishment, the C-130J super Hercules aircraft touched down at Air Force Station, Car Nicobar on 28 May 2012 on its maiden flight to the island airbase. After almost 6 hours flight from AF Stn Hindan, Group Captain Tejbir Singh, Commanding Officer of the Hercules Squadron accomplished the task of landing at Car Nicobar Air base. The crew was received by the Chief Operations Officer Wing Commander Sanjay M Nijai. The staff from HQ Andaman & Nicobar Command, Air Commodore TK Sinha were also present on the occasion. For some, it was just yet another landing, infact it marked a big leap for the Indian Air Force in projecting its strategic reach even at this remote and far-flung island base of the Indian Air Force"

 

[Abingdonboy]

Recognized Group Captain Tejbir Singh from C-130 induction ceremony at Hindon last year.

 

[Hulk]

I still feel we should buy more of these aircrafts.

 

[Backbencher]

I think we should start reverse engineering at HAL .
We already have most of the latest technologies of the so called big powers .

 

[Abingdonboy]

I think we should start reverse engineering at HAL .
We already have most of the latest technologies of the so called big powers .

You do know this is ILLEGAL??!! What would be the point in doing so and facing the same restrictions, embargoes and sanctions as China where no Western nation will sell them anything remotley cutting-edge. India is in a fortunate position where almost every major weapons manufacturer is offering world-class state of the art technology to India because they trust India. Lost that trust and India is screwed. The technology India is getting in the next 5-15 years will make it unmatched in most levels in the region and ,in most cases, in the world.

 

[śūnya_0_Zero]

I still feel we should buy more of these aircrafts.

I completely agree ... it is a massive force multiplier for us.

From moving a huge tonnage to war materiel to Arunachal, to Andamans at short notice ..... while being deployed to peace time duties in a very useful fashion.

C130Js are known for their (i) very high availability (in other words, low maintenance needs), (ii) low operational costs (per tonne transported), (iii) versatility (can operate in various modes, i.e. can be reconfigured very fast), (iv) can operate from unpaved runways (it is really really rugged and "rough and tough".

It's original high cost is worth every dollar in terms of utility.

 

[Hulk]

I completely agree ... it is a massive force multiplier for us.

From moving a huge tonnage to war materiel to Arunachal, to Andamans at short notice ..... while being deployed to peace time duties in a very useful fashion.

C130Js are known for their (i) very high availability (in other words, low maintenance needs), (ii) low operational costs (per tonne transported), (iii) versatility (can operate in various modes, i.e. can be reconfigured very fast), (iv) can operate from unpaved runways (it is really really rugged and "rough and tough".

It's original high cost is worth every dollar in terms of utility.

Some of the transport thing can be done by C-17, C-130 is smaller comparatively. I have been inside C-130 at Pittsburgh airbase. What surprised me why we ordered C-17 and not C-5 which is bigger than C-17.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Some of the transport thing can be done by C-17, C-130 is smaller comparatively. I have been inside C-130 at Pittsburgh airbase. What surprised me why we ordered C-17 and not C-5 which is bigger than C-17.

C-5 is big but it is also not too capable in a war-like situation. It is more of a civil airliner painted in military colours- it needs long runways and extensive ground infrastructure to operate and has always been dogged by serviceability and safety issues. The C-17 is a strageic air-lifter that can land on short and unpaved airstrips so ideal for Northern airstrips and for use in wartime. C-17 also is much more effective and capable than the IL-76s they are replacing in payload, range, relabilty, curability, maintaince friendly and handling for pilots (I was told by a RAF officer when I sat in the cockpit of a C-17 whilst on a visit to an RAF AFB during my years in CCF that the C-17 has a single-stick flight stick so that it could be flown by ex-F16 fighter jocks) and with FBW controls it is a breaze to fly (had a chance in a simulator).The C-17 is a HUGE step up for IAF and fits their needs perfectly. They outlined what they wanted in the first place.



Bigger isn't always better.

 

[śūnya_0_Zero]

Some of the transport thing can be done by C-17, C-130 is smaller comparatively. I have been inside C-130 at Pittsburgh airbase. What surprised me why we ordered C-17 and not C-5 which is bigger than C-17.

Sadly, I keep forgetting which one is which C-17.. C-130 !!!!

Just know that American transport planes are perhaps 2 or 3 generations ahead of anything Russia could give us (IL-76 or AN-32).

And to add one more thing, I believe these huge transport planes are also bought keeping in mind chinese road constructions across the Arunachal border: It may not be wise (or economically viable to copy a stupid enemy, who doesn't look for ecnomic viability of those roads). We can keep using these transport planes for our other needs ... but if PLA starts piling up conventional weaponry using those roads: (i) we can ramp up with heavy equipment pretty fast, even if we don't have that many roads in that area, (ii) PLA won't find a friendly terrain which they would have if we had built roads there.

Our not building "uneconomical" roads in that area kills the utility of those roads for China .. in terms of possible trade. Chinese roads can have any peacetime value only if it can use them to trade with India..... otherwise, in a few years their roads will get buried in snow due to disuse.

We should only build the roads in Arunachal which boosts the economy there.

For the defence, these huge transports serve our purpose .... and I believe those light howitzers for use in mountainous region are being incoporated with the same thing in mind.

With the strategic deterrence against China, already being proceeding to a substantial level of maturity .... we need to have tactical strategies in place, so that China can't try a "Kargil misadventure".

 

[Koovie]

Car Nicobar air base...

Good to see combat aircraft on the islands