India said to seek first US military aircraft

Washington, Dec 16: India has asked the United States for information on buying what would be its first US military aircraft, six C-130J ''Super Hercules'' cargo planes, people familiar with the matter.

Indian officials sent a letter to the US government seeking details on a possible purchase on Thursday, these sources said.

The four-engine turboprop C-130, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., is the US Air Force's workhorse cargo and personnel transport aircraft; the ''J'' is its latest model.

Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin referred queries about the matter to US officials. The State Department and the Air Force had no immediate comment.

The Indian request for information about a C-130J sale came days after a trade mission to India by the Aerospace Industries Association, which represents top US defense contractors among others.

The C-130J, used by the US Air Force in Iraq, is capable of short takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways. The price per aircraft may top 70 million dollar, depending on configuration.

The possible sale is subject to US congressional approval. It would be the first of military aircraft in what Washington hopes to turn into a much closer operational relationship between U.S. and Indian armed forces.

The Bush administration already has offered India a choice of two US fighter aircraft, Lockheed's F-16 and Boeing Co.'s F-18 SuperHornet, as entrants in a multi-role fighter aircraft competition New Delhi is organizing.

REUTERS

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