If the 1980s witnessed a quantum leap in the IAF’s air transport capabilities, the coming decade could be even more significant. Rapidly warming relations with the US mean that a decade or so from now, American origin aircraft could well be the major components of the IAF’s air transport capability.

A quarter century of distinguished service as mainstays of the Indian Air Force (IAF) air transport fleet—that’s the inspiring story of the Ilyushin Il-76 and Antonov An-32. The An-32 was inducted in early 1984 and the Il-76 MD followed a year later to dramatically enhance the IAF’s air transport capability. Around 14 Il-76 four engine jets and perhaps 104 An-32 twin turboprop aircraft are still operational. Day in and day out these workhorses of the IAF get airborne, often before dawn, from bases in the north and east, on air maintenance missions to remote forward and high-altitude areas. Mission successful, back to base; but there’s no rest.

Ceaselessly crisscrossing the country with urgently needed consignments, their hectic schedule can be gauged by a report last month that the IAF was finding it difficult to schedule five Il-76 sorties for airlift of supplies and equipment for two important NHPC projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, serviceability has rarely been top-notch. The IAF has for years been plagued by a shortage of spares and unsatisfactory after-sales service for its Soviet/Russian sourced aircraft. However, rapidly warming relations with the US and the IAF’s determination to acquire only the best mean that, a decade or so from now, American origin aircraft could well be the major components of the IAF’s air transport capability.

Hearty Hercules

A deal India struck with the US in 2007 for six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for a reported sum of $1 billion (Rs 3,940 crore) acted as the trigger (SP’s Aviation Defexpo 2008 Special, Issue 1, Volume 10). The aircraft should join the IAF next year and be based in Hindon, near Delhi. Conceived during the Korean War (the first prototype flew on August 23, 1954) the C-130 has a long and distinguished history. It is perhaps the most important military transport aircraft globally and the most popular ever—around 60 nations currently fly it. Its newest version, and the only one in production, is the C-130J Super Hercules, which became operational in February 1999. Though it looks quite similar to the classic Hercules, it is significantly upgraded with new Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engines, six-bladed propellers, digital avionics, and other advanced systems. It outstrips previous models—faster and higher climb, enhanced range at a higher cruise speed, and better short-field performance. It is designed for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas and can operate from rough dirt strips.

Basic and specialised versions of the aircraft can undertake diverse roles, including airlift support, special operations, aero-medical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, disaster relief missions, and even fire fighting duties. However, much of its special mission equipment is removable, allowing the aircraft to revert to the basic cargo delivery role if desired.

The IAF hopes to use these versatile multi-role aircraft mainly for special operations missions and would probably like to exercise its option for six more C-130J aircraft in order to acquire a viable capability. But Washington is hardly generous when it comes to sharing sensitive technology. Signing restrictive agreements like the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement would probably be prerequisites for India to receive key equipment for the Hercules, such as electronic jamming capability, secure communications and satellite navigation aids.

Masters of The Globe

In another development of great significance for the IAF, the Ministry of Defence last month dispatched a letter of request to Washington for the potential procurement of 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. The direct government-to-government deal, requested via the US Foreign Military Sales programme, is valued at around $2.5 billion (Rs 11,410 crore). If signed, hopefully this year, it will be India’s biggest deal with the US thus far. The C-17s would gradually replace the ageing Il-76s and go some way towards guaranteeing India’s future military and humanitarian airlift needs as it shoulders its growing domestic and international responsibilities. Ten more C-17s could be ordered later to build a viable strategic airlift capability.

Currently, there are 212 C-17s in service globally, but only 19 with operators outside the US. The C-17 carries a payload of around 77 tonnes, which is nearly double the 43 tonne capacity of the IAF’s Il-76. To view this in perspective, the Il-76’s capacity is itself more than twice that of the C-130J Super Hercules which has a maximum load limit of 19 tonnes.