March 6, The First Unit Of The C-130J Super Hercules Air Force Is Scheduled To ARRIVE In The Country

Head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service (Kadispenau) Marsma TNI Indan Gilang Buldansyah gave information to media crews in Jakarta/ANTARA

Head of the Air Force Information Service, First Marshal TNI Indan Gilang Buldansyah, stated that the first unit of the Indonesian Air Force's C-130J Super Hercules aircraft was scheduled to arrive on March 6, 2023. "So, the plane will be dispatched directly from the Lockheed Martin manufacturer in Marietta, Georgia, United States, on February 28, then it is estimated that it will be March 6," Indan told media crews in Jakarta, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, February 21. The aircraft is included in the TNI AU's defense equipment modernization program which has ordered five Super Hercules C-130J aircraft to strengthen the line of Hercules aircraft currently owned by the Indonesian Air Force. After the arrival of the first unit, continued Kadispenau, the other four units will arrive gradually until January 2024. "The next arrival is planned for July (2023), October (2023), and January next year yes," explained Indan. It is planned that the first unit will be placed at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta. According to Kadispenau, the five units of the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft will strengthen the Squadron 31 of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Jakarta, Skadron 32 Base Abdul Rachman Saleh Malang, and Skadron 33 Lanud Sultan Hasanuddin Makassar. "I think the arrival of these five type J Hercules aircraft will meet our needs for heavy transportation, yes, personnel and cargo transportation needed by us," said Indan. The C-130J Super Hercules aircraft is a production of Lockheed Martin, which was exhibited by the US weapons and defense system manufacturer as one of the flagship products at the Indo Defense 2018 exhibition. The heavy transport aircraft can be used from supporting humanitarian missions to territorial peace activities. Super Hercules's C-130J aircraft remains the most relevant transport aircraft in the world. Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo while visiting Lockheed Martin manufacturer in Maryland, United States, in September 2021, had emphasized that the procurement of Super Hercules C-130J aircraft would significantly improve the TNI AU's capabilities. "With the type C-130 J aircraft, I believe the Indonesian Air Force will be able to significantly improve its capabilities, especially in air transportation operations," said Fadjar.