Lockheed Martin in talks with HAL for airframes production

Friday, 07 February 2003, 20:30 IST
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BANGALORE: Global defence major Lockheed Martin is in talks with India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for collaboration in production of airframes and aviation software for export. The U.S. aeronautics company, relieved that the doors have reopened after the lifting of sanctions against India, is sending its second assessment team to HAL Sunday to look at the composites and design facilities. "We have a meeting to discuss software relating to training systems and logistics support. As relations mature, we would look at avionics as many of the products are dependent upon information technology nowadays," Mike Kelly, director international market development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, told reporters here. Lockheed Martin is the largest exhibitor from the U.S. at Aero India 2003 here, trumpeted as Asia's biggest aerospace exhibition. This is the first time that 10 American companies are participating in the Indian air show after having missed the 1998 and 2001 editions because of U.S. sanctions against India following the 1998 nuclear tests. "We got assessment made of HAL's facilities at Kanpur, Nashik and Bangalore and we are very impressed with the airframe area. There is a great potential for collaboration on airframes with HAL," Kelly said. The world leader in combat, air mobility and special mission reconnaissance aircraft has 27 offset programmes in 22 countries worldwide, all valued at $22 billion, and is involved in a "serious dialogue" with Indian industries in both the private and public sectors. "We wouldn't be here unless we were optimistic. We wouldn't be here without encouragement of the U.S. government for business opportunities. It is encouraging release of technology to India and products to Indian industry," said Robert E. Hammond, Lockheed Martin's vice president for the South Asia region. "We look at India as a market with great potential. We look at best value and the right programme. We are not interested in signing meaningless MoUs (memorandums of understanding)," added Dennys S. Plessas, vice president, business development initiatives, Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The Indian defence minister (George Fernandes) visited our pavilion (on Thursday) and told us that he had asked his service chiefs to broaden their supplies including companies from the U.S.," Plessas said. Lockheed Martin is seeking to market the F-16, the world's premier multi-role fighter that has sold 4,000 aircraft worldwide, and the C-130J, the modern version of the Hercules military transport aircraft. Some of the C-130J's versions can also serve as reconnaissance aircraft. "If India is interested, we could put HAL in this space for the production of F-16 under licence. About 13 countries have been producing the aircraft under licence," Plessas added. Lockheed Martin is already in talks with the Indian Navy for the supply of P3 Orion, a maritime patrol aircraft that excels in anti-submarine warfare. It has also offered its jet trainer to India that is yet to decide on an advanced jet trainer (AJT), a subject that is scheduled to go before the federal cabinet shortly.
Source: IANS