World News & Analysis
Orion Talks Underway In India
Aviation Week & Space Technology
11/29/2004, page 38

Neelam Mathews, New Delhi

Michael Mecham, San Francisco


Lockheed Martin boosts P-3C, C-130Js for Indian air force

On Patrol In a post-sanction world, Lockheed Martin expects to open talks in mid-December about upgrades to ex-U.S. Navy P-3B anti-submarine warfare aircraft that will bring them up to a "C" status, matching what the U.S. is proposing to sell Pakistan. Discussions have been underway for some time about the sale of eight P-3B Orions to India along with other weapons systems, all made possible by the lifting of U.S. arms sanctions.

Lockheed Martin recently named Pracheesh Mathur as national executive for India to raise its profile in the country. The talks will include the possibility that India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) in Bangalore will re-manufacture P-3 nacelles. Last month, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a proposed sale to Pakistan of eight P-3Cs valued at $970 million, six Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems valued at $155 million, and 2,000 TOW-2A missiles valued at $82 million. The sales are expected to be approved.

Lockheed Martin's talks will include the proposed sale of some 20 C-130J Hercules troop transports and F-16 fighters as replacements for 125 MiG-21 fighters now in the Indian air force's inventory. The F-16s are likely to compete against the Gripen, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29. A military analyst reports that one matter under discussion is for the F-16 to make a flying display next year in Bangalore during India's prime air show, Aero India 2005, "if the concerned government agrees." The reference is to Singapore, which held joint exercises with India for the first time in October.

Lockheed Martin already has a Technical Assistance Agreement approved by India covering P-3 nacelles. If HAL signs it, Lockheed Martin will seek a request for proposal covering technical and commercial details of the nacelle refurbishment, an industry official says. The decision to sell eight upgraded P-3Bs in a C status from the U.S. Navy's inventory follows the notification to Congress of the Pakistan deals (AW&ST Nov. 22, p. 15). Lockheed Martin officials in India are not commenting on reports that Harpoon missiles are also under consideration as part of the package. "The negotiations will include price of original frame and refurbishment and upgradation of life and all equipment on board," a Lockheed Martin official says.

The sales race with Russian manufacturers has grown so intense that it has been reported that two Ilyushin Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft recently sent to Russia for repairs returned with upgraded components. While there is great optimism in India about the move by U.S. companies to offer equipment, the decision to sell to Pakistan is being looked at with regret and mistrust. India also continues to be wary of buying U.S. weapon systems given that sanctions have been imposed in the past. But Sumit Ganguly, a South Asia security specialist at Indiana University, comments, "The principal import of the weapons sales is political. I do not think that the sale of the P-3C Orions would fundamentally alter the strategic balance. They will, however, give Pakistan significant anti-submarine surveillance capabilities. The missiles that they are acquiring cannot really be used in an offensive mode, but can blunt armored columns quite effectively. The sale of F-16s, however, would be an altogether different proposition."