In a significant strategic airlift capability demonstration move by the Indian Air Force (IAF), a C-130J Super Hercules airlifter landed ...
In a significant strategic airlift capability demonstration move by the Indian Air Force (IAF), a C-130J Super Hercules airlifter landed at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the highest airstrip in the world which is close to the Line of Actual Control with China, on Tuesday morning.
Flexing its muscles in eastern Ladakh, where the Indian and Chinese armies are having face-offs in recent months, IAF Commanding Officer Group Captain Tejbir Singh and the crew of the “Veiled Vipers” along with senior officer of Air Headquarters touched down on the DBO airstrip located at 16614 feet (5065 meters) in the Aksai Chin area after taking off from their home base at Hindon, New Delhi.
DBO is an important Army forward area post which links the ancient silk route to china. This base was built during the Indo-China conflict in 1962 and came into prominence when Packet aircraft of the IAF operated from DBO between 1962 and 1965. Once again this strategic base in the Northern Himalayas gained importance when it was resurrected and reactivated by the IAF along with the Indian Army andmade operational when a twin engine Antonov AN-32 airlifter from Chandigarh landed there after a gap of 43 years.
Considering the very limited load carrying capability of AN-32 and helicopters, a decision was taken by the IAF to land the C130J aircraft which is capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load. With this enhanced airlift capability the IAF will now be in a better position to meet the requirements of our land forces who are heavily dependent on the air bridge for sustainence in these higher and inhospitable areas.
The tactical airlift aircraft of the special operations squadron the “Veiled Vipers” which is capable of undertaking quick deployment of forces in all weather conditions, including airdrops and landings on unprepared or semi prepared surfaces created history today by landing at this altitude and hostile terrain conditions. This achievement qualifies for the world record for the highest landing by an aircraft of this class. Incidentally, this was the same aircraft and crew that undertook the “Op Rahat” during the recent massive flood relief operations in Uttarakhand.
The achievement will enable the forces to exploit the inherent advanced capabilities of the aircraft by increased capability to induct troops, improve communication network and also serve as a great morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there. It is also a projection of the fact that the IAF is capable of operating in such inhospitable terrain in support of the Indian Army.
India purchased six Lockheed Martin built C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$1.059 billion for its special operations forces in a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. In July 2012 a follow on contract for six more C-130Js was signed, through the FMS program.
India is also acquiring 10 C-17 Globemaster-III heavy lift aircrafts for $4.1 billion aimed at bolstering its swift power-projection capabilities to counter China's massive build-up of military infrastructure along the LAC.
