The Hindu Business Line : Aerospace major for ties with Indian industry

THE US-based aerospace major, Lockheed Martin, which is in the race to sell Multiple Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) to India, has indicated that it could look at sourcing more than the mandated quantum of products from here if successful in the Indian campaign.

"We would look for opportunities where Indian industry can join in with us for development work. In several countries where the F-16 aircraft has been sold, we have gone above what has been mandated in the contract for off set that should be sourced from the country purchasing the aircraft," said the Company's Director Communication, Mr Joseph W. Stout.

Civil aviation sector

Incidentally, in the civil aviation sector, the European aircraft consortium Airbus and engine manufacturer, CFM agreed to increase counter trade commitment to 40 per cent from the earlier 30 per cent levels. Airbus is to supply 43 aircraft to Indian Airlines at a deal valued at more than Rs 9,000 crore.

Lockheed Martin is offering the Indian Armed forces the F-16 aircraft and has indicated that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited can produce the aircraft. The Government has already mandated that a certain number of the total aircraft to be supplied should be made in India. The list price of the aircraft that India could acquire is around $55 million (Rs 252.4 crore).

Officials indicated that there was unlikely to be any difficulty in the US Government clearing the deal.