PM Modi’s historic touchdown on NE’s first highway airstrip aboard C-130J Hercules | Here’s all about IAF’s reliable workhorse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made a historic landing at the Northeast India’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass aboard the Indian Air Force’s C-130J aircraft in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. He was welcomed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Dibrugarh.

#WATCH | Assam witnesses a historic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh. Here, he will witness the aerial display of fighters, transports and helicopters. The ELF is the first of its kind in Northeast… pic.twitter.com/DOp6lNqAXP

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— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2026

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IAF’s C-130J Hercules: One Aircraft, Many Capabilities

The Indian Air Force’s C-130J transport aircraft is a proven, reliable workhorse known for delivering with unmatched capability and certainty in every mission. From medevac and aerial refuelling to firefighting and humanitarian relief, it delivers efficiently anywhere.

The C-130J has become the worldwide choice for tactical airlift missions with the best short-field take-off and landing performance, airworthiness certification from 20+ operators, lower fuel consumption, reduced carbon footprint, increased range, the largest pallet and passenger capacity, and superior survivability.

The aircraft has an unsurpassed multi-mission versatility with connectivity across platforms, mission environments, a mature Block Upgrade program, digital integration spanning Super Hercules engineering, production, and sustainment, and incremental powerplant improvements.

Key Specifications of C-130J

• Maximum take-off weight
  164,000 lb/74,389 kg
• Zero fuel weight
  C-130J-30 129,000 lb/58,513 kg
  KC/HC/MC-130J 128,500 lb/58,287 kg
• Operating weight empty
  C-130J-30 88,252 lb/40,030 kg
  KC/HC/MC-130J 87,961 lb/39,898 kg
• Maximum payload
  C-130J-30 46,700 lb/21,183 kg
  KC/HC/MC-130J 47,000 lb/21,319 kg
• Landing Distance (135,000 lb)
  C-130J-30 3,000 ft/914 m
  KC/HC/MC-130J 3,200 ft/975 m
• Range (40,000 lb payload)
  C-130J-30 2,160 nm/4,000 km
  KC/HC/MC-130J 1,980 nm/3,667 km

Recent C-130 Deployments by IAF

Nov 29, 2025: Operation Sagar Bandhu
In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, the IAF promptly deployed one C-130 from Hindan Air Base on the night of 28/29 Nov 2025, airlifting tonnes of relief material along with over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 Tonnes of equipment to Colombo.

Oct 27, 2025: Urgent medical evacuation request from UT Ladakh
An IAF C-130 aircraft was launched at short notice to airlift a 38-year-old Ladakhi native in critical condition, from Leh to Delhi. The mission was executed under pitch-dark conditions and the challenging Himalayan terrain.  

Sep 4, 2025: Exercise Bright Star 2025
The Indian Air Force deployed its Su-30 and C-130 aircraft for the multilateral, joint exercise, which strengthens strategic ties, enhances interoperability, and provides the IAF a valuable mutual learning experience with friendly foreign countries.