New Delhi, February 27, 2006 (PTI)

Asserting that its spy plane P3C Orions was in frontline contention for the Navy's International tenders for eight Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft, US Aviation major Lockheed-Martin today said it was offering India an upgraded aircraft with new wings and tail.

"We are in hot contention with our new P3C Orions which have completely been refurbished with new wing-spans and tails to serve almost a life time of 20 years," Richard G Kirkland, Vice-President Maritime Surveillance Enterprises of the Lockheed-Martin, told newsmen here.

"We are offering the Navy, the choice of sensors and equipment to be placed onboard and the configuration it wants either for long-range maritime reconnaissance or anti- submarine mode", he said.

The earlier US Government offer of leasing four P3C Orion spy planes had not gone through due to prohibitive support-costs, the Lockheed-Martin official said adding the company was sure it would be "extremely competitive" in the Navy's Request for Proposals (RFP) already floated.

Under the Navy's RFP, the bids have to be made by April-end, with Price negotiations to be completed by 2007 and first deliveries to commence within 48 months.

The acquisition of the spy planes has assumed significance for India as at a recent high-level meeting in the United States, participated by Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and others, warning bells had been sounded over the mounting terrorist threats to Malacca sea lanes.

The participating nations wanted India to play a major policing role to curb sea-piracy in the region.

"Unlike others we can offer shorter delivery time," Kirkland said. The refurbished spyplanes with new hydraulic jigs, new composite-wing spans and tails are on delivery to US Navy and some other international users, he said.

Three other US majors - Boeing's P8A, G Northtrop- Grumann, EADF - and the Russian Rosenexports IL-38 and TU-142 are competing for the Navy tender.

While, the Boeing's P8A is still under development and only expected to roll out in 2013, the Russian aircraft are also in need for end-of-life upgradation.