Lockheed to supply C-130Js to IAF by year end

Bangalore Feb 6 (UNI) US aerospace major Lockheed Martin today expressed confidence of delivering six most advanced tactical transport aircraft C-130J to the Indian Airforce by the end of this year.

In an inter-governmental arrangement, India had sought from the US a dozen of these aircraft which combine heavy lifting capability with advanced cockpit avionics and a fully integrated digital weapons system. Out of the dozen, six were firm requests for which the Government had given letter of interest, Mr Robert H Trice, Lockheed Martin's Senior Vice President for Business Development told newsmen here today.

He said the talks with the government were progressing. One round of talks was held last month and one more would be held this month he added expressing confidence that the order might be firmed up this year.

The C-130Js were versatile for missions in peacetime and during conflict. It was widely used for special missions as well as humanitarian relief and had the capability of delivering 20 tonnes of cargo to a precise location due to its sophisticated positioning system.

Lockheed is also in the race for India's lookout for 126 multirole combat aircraft for which it had sent out letter of interest and would now be following with the Request for Proposal.

Dr Truce, replying to a question said that the F-16 offered to Pakistan were through bilateral arrangement the US government had with Pakistan. The F-16s proposed for India would meet the operational needs of IAF and would be the most effective multirole combat aircraft in the world. Lockheed martin had already supplied 4300 such aircraft to 24 Air Forces across the world, he added.

UNI