Indian AF Upgrades to Include C-130J

Per an Agence France Presse article, India hopes to buy 6 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for use with special operations forces. The C-130J will fill a gap between two models of Russian cargo aircraft currently in the IAF fleet, while providing the rugged performance needed for special operations. Fas.org has a pretty good article about the C-130, with a lot of detail about the -J model.

This closely follows another announcement about an expected deal with France to upgrade India's fleet of Mirage 2000 fighters. India boasts a pretty extensive fleet of aircraft including several Russian fighters and helicopters. India's Russian aircraft getting older and support for them is falling short. The Mirage upgrade is supposed to be a temporary measure to bide time for 126 new fighters, expected to come from Lockheed.

India is noted, along with China, as being one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world. This infusion of American aircraft will go a long way toward solidifying their status as an aviation powerhouse. I can't imagine Lockheed's workers are complaining about the sales either.