The first C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1339 aircraft ordered by the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara) arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, East Jakarta, on 6 March. The plane landed at around 1:08 p.m. local time and was greeted with a water salute followed by Brugman welcoming the disembarking seven crew members with flower necklaces. The aircraft’s arrival was welcomed by Deputy Chief of the Air Force Staff, Vice Marshal Agustinus Gustaf Brugman, and Commander of the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Colonel Adrian P. Damanik.

The seven crew members comprised two pilots and two loadmasters from Lockheed Martin, two Air Force aviators, and a flight engineer. Four other Super Hercules aircraft ordered by the Air Force will arrive gradually in June, July, October, and January next year. All of them are ᴀssigned to Squadron 31 at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base. The Super Hercules aircraft was selected to strengthen the Air Force since its previous generations had proven their quality, particularly in terms of landings on questionable airstrips. The C-130J-30 Super Hercules has advantages in terms of an integrated avionics system and a more efficient engine.

Indonesia’s first C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1339 ready to fly Indonesian Air Force missions. (PH๏τo by TNI AU)

The Indonesian Air Force has quietly signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. The arrival of the new aircraft increases the number of C-130s in Indonesian Air Force service to 27 aircraft. Its attempts to cover the country’s expansive territorial and political geography. Indonesia is regularly affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flooding, and together with the remote nature of many of its islands, that means an airlift capability is vital to Indonesia’s military quickly accessing the country’s territory.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is the newest version of the C-130 Hercules, and the only model currently in production. it has four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D turboprops that can generate 4,700 horsepower and capable of reaching the highest speed of 660 km/h at an alтιтude of 6,706 meters (m). The aircraft has a cargo compartment with a length of 16.9 m; a width of 3.12 m; and a height of 2.74 m, and a carrying capacity of 20 tons. The C-130J Super Hercules can carry eight pallets or 97 stretchers, 128 combat troops, and 92 paratroopers.

President Joko Widodo douses the nose of a Hercules aircraft with water at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta. (PH๏τo by TNI AU)