The State Department approved a possible $96 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to India for follow-on support of C0130J Super Hercules aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on April 24.

The primary contractor would be Lockheed Martin [LMT].

The requested FMS would include follow-on support for five years for their fleet of C-130J Super Hercules that includes eight spare AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems, six spare AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers, and up to 9,000 flare cartridges.

The sale would also include spare and repair parts, configuration updates, support and test equipment, publications and technical data, technical services, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

India intends to use the equipment to support its Super Hercules aircraft to ensure they can operate effectively to serve transport, local, international humanitarian assistance, and regional disaster relief needs, DSCA said. The sale would allow the Indian Air Force to sustain a higher mission-ready status for its C-130J aircraft.

DSCA noted this would contribute to the national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic relationship “and to improve the capabilities of a major South Asian partner which has been, and continues to be, an important force for economic progress and stability in South Asia.”

Implementation of the FMS would not require additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to be assigned to India.