Posted on 09/23/2010 5:17:18 AM PDT by Srirangan
Lockheed Martin has confirmed that first of the C-130 Super Hercules for the Indian Air Force is scheduled to be delivered in December 2010. The first of six aircrafts will make its first flight in October.
Purchased from the US in a $1 billion deal, India's six stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s would provide the Indian Army and Indian Air Force "new special operations capabilities using the world's most advanced air-lifter", according to Lockheed. Equipped with India-unique operational equipment, including an infrared detection set (IDS), the aircraft for the first time will provide the IAF an ability to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and landings in blackout conditions.
To ensure 80 percent availability of the aircraft at any given time, Lockheed Martin has offered a long-term maintenance contract to the IAF on the lines of the ones it has with the US Air Force and the air forces of Australia, Britain and Canada. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of an airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.
(Excerpt) Read more at india-defence.com ...
India is on the move.
I see closeup the forces of Indian businesses buying up manufacturing capabilities from companies closing down or replacing old machine technology. India has been suppressed by a mind numbing socialist bureaucracy that is either gone or that has lost control.
There seems to be increased American presence in siting manufacturing there as well.
That’s an optimistic assessment. I’m not sure our socialist, corrupt bureaucracy has lost control. :-(
Well, I remember the day I heard a presentation by an executive of Double Cola describing how he was thew only American cola company present in India and how the bureaucrats keep them at bay.
In the past year or so, I have had occasion to view American operations and American companies with operations or work in India. I visited a good sized American company this week that is moving the machines for a large brake manufacturing plant. I am in active contact with leading company that has opened lubrication equipment operations.
There might still be a bureaucracy and I have no doubt that is true, but the difference between now and not too long ago seems great.
>our socialist, corrupt bureaucracy has lost control. :-(
Psst, anybody wanna host a CommonWealth Games? ;>
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