There will be an increase in the induction of transport aircraft and helicopters in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and their role will be expanded for deployment in conflicts, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), said in Coimbatore today.
“Contract for six more C-130J Hercules will be inked soon. Ten more C-17 Globemaster aircraft will join the IAF as part of Phase II,” the Air Chief Marshal said. The IAF was also looking at replacing IL-76 in the next 10 or 15 years with upgraded versions of C-17 Globemasters.
C-130J Super Hercules of Indian Air Force on a Test Flight ( Image Courtesy - xairforces.net )
C-17 Globemaster of US Air Force on a Test Flight ( Image Courtesy - wikipedia.org )
On the upgrading of helicopters, of the 80 medium-lift Mi-17 V5 helicopters, for which a pact has been inked, 42 had already been inducted.
Mi-17 V5 of Indian Air Force ( Image Courtesy - defenseindustrydaily.com )
A fresh contract to procure 59 more helicopters was expected to be signed soon, he said. When these got inducted into the Air Force, they were expected to become the backbone medium-lift capability in the Northern and Eastern sectors, he added.
News Courtesy - thehindu.com
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