Defence Ministry likely to fully utilise its capital outlays; IAF inducts the first C-130J Super Hercules
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    • The Ministry of Defence is likely to fully spend Rs 60,000 crores provided under the head of Capital Expenditure in the defence budget 2010-11. The utilisation of capital outlays comes in the wake of Ministry’s success in signing a host of big-ticket items, including US-made C-130J transport planes, India-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and Akash missile defence systems. In past the MoD had difficult in utilising its Capital Expenditure, which is primarily meant for modernisation of the armed forces.1

    Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has inducted into its fleet the first of the six C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlift transport aircraft. The US-based Lockheed Martin-made aircraft will join IAF’ newly raised 77 squadron (named ‘Veiled Vipers’) at Hindan airbase, located in Ghaziabad northwest of New Delhi. Reports noted that the aircraft is capable of airdropping personnel and material even in complete darkness, as it is equipped with night vision imaging. It can also land on unprepared or semi-prepared landing strips and has self-protection to operate in hostile environments. It is capable of undertaking low-level air-to-air refuelling that enhances the aircrafts range and rapid forward basing of personnel and equipment in emergent situations.2

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