Lockheed Martin to set up subsidiary in India

Bangalore, Jan 9 (UNI) US fighter plane major Lockheed Martin will set up a subsidiary in India to take care of its marketing operations in the country.

Former US Diplomat Douglas A Hartwick, who had served as Assistant US Trade Representative for South Asia, would head the Indian operations, a company release said today.

Projecting the company's growth plans in India, Mr Hartwick, in the release, said ''the Lockheed Martin wanted to become a reliable supplier to India's defence needs.'' Lockheed, eyeing the lucrative order of 126 multi-role fighter jets from Indian Air Force (IAF), is likely to place its F-16 before the IAF this year.

Russia's MIG, EADS of France, Boeing of US and Grippen of Sweden are also vying for the much awaited IAF order.

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