Keysersoze
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India eyes first US military planes as defense minister asks to speed up
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Dec 16, IRNA
India-Air Force-US Plane
India has sought information on buying what would be its first US military aircraft, six Lockheed Martin C-130J 'Super Hercules' cargo planes, US Air Force officials and others said.
A request for details of a possible purchase from the Indian Defense Ministry was delivered to the US embassy in New Delhi, which forwarded it to the Air Force's office of international affairs, said Dewey Mitchell, an Air Force spokesman, DD News said here.
"Consideration begins upon receipt of the request," he said in a written reply to queries from reporters.
Two other people familiar with the matter said India had asked about buying six C-130Js in a letter received by US officials on Thursday.
The four-engine turboprop C-130, built by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp., is the US Air Force's workhorse cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The 'J' is its latest model.
Lockheed Martin referred queries about the matter to US officials.
The State Department 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 dlrs 70 million, depending on configuration.
The possible sale is subject to US congressional approval.
It would be the first Indian purchase of US military aircraft.
US President George W Bush has sought to develop closer operational ties with India's armed forces, partly as a hedge against China.
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.
Meanwhile in another development Indian Defense Minister A K Antony on Saturday said he has directed that all weapons induction process be speeded up.
"We intend to get the best available weapons system for our armed forces," he told newsmen asserting that he had instructed that all procurement deals under process be paced up.
His remarks assume significance as Indian Air Force for the past six to nine months has been finalizing international tenders for mega billion deal to acquire 126 Multi Role Combat aircraft, to shore up the forces sharp decline in fighter strength due to ageing Mig-21 aircraft.
Interacting with reporters during the Vijay Diwas celebrations at the National Stadium, to mark Indian armed forces sweeping victory in 1971 Bangladesh campaign, Antony stressed that Government was contemplating bringing in more reforms in arms purchases procedure.
But, at the same time, strict transparency in all arms deals would be maintained, he said.
Sidestepping a question on the progress made in producing an indigenous nuclear submarine, he said the government had resolved to get the most modern equipment for the forces, media reports said.
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Dec 16, IRNA
India-Air Force-US Plane
India has sought information on buying what would be its first US military aircraft, six Lockheed Martin C-130J 'Super Hercules' cargo planes, US Air Force officials and others said.
A request for details of a possible purchase from the Indian Defense Ministry was delivered to the US embassy in New Delhi, which forwarded it to the Air Force's office of international affairs, said Dewey Mitchell, an Air Force spokesman, DD News said here.
"Consideration begins upon receipt of the request," he said in a written reply to queries from reporters.
Two other people familiar with the matter said India had asked about buying six C-130Js in a letter received by US officials on Thursday.
The four-engine turboprop C-130, built by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp., is the US Air Force's workhorse cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The 'J' is its latest model.
Lockheed Martin referred queries about the matter to US officials.
The State Department 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 dlrs 70 million, depending on configuration.
The possible sale is subject to US congressional approval.
It would be the first Indian purchase of US military aircraft.
US President George W Bush has sought to develop closer operational ties with India's armed forces, partly as a hedge against China.
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.
Meanwhile in another development Indian Defense Minister A K Antony on Saturday said he has directed that all weapons induction process be speeded up.
"We intend to get the best available weapons system for our armed forces," he told newsmen asserting that he had instructed that all procurement deals under process be paced up.
His remarks assume significance as Indian Air Force for the past six to nine months has been finalizing international tenders for mega billion deal to acquire 126 Multi Role Combat aircraft, to shore up the forces sharp decline in fighter strength due to ageing Mig-21 aircraft.
Interacting with reporters during the Vijay Diwas celebrations at the National Stadium, to mark Indian armed forces sweeping victory in 1971 Bangladesh campaign, Antony stressed that Government was contemplating bringing in more reforms in arms purchases procedure.
But, at the same time, strict transparency in all arms deals would be maintained, he said.
Sidestepping a question on the progress made in producing an indigenous nuclear submarine, he said the government had resolved to get the most modern equipment for the forces, media reports said.
