Fort Worth (Texas), June 03, 2006, Lalit K Jha (The Indian Express)

TRealising the tremendous opportunities that India now offers both as a market and pool of scientific and technical manpower, Lockheed Martin — one of the largest manufacturers of fighter planes — is preparing to enter into partnership with Indian companies, in both private and public sectors.

As such, agenda for Lockheed is clear. It visualises an Indian business opportunity of some $10 billion in next five-10 years. In long-term, it needs India to make itself more competitive in global arms market. With the opening up of the Indian economy and new relationship with America, Lockheed is also looking to do business in civilian sector like border security and airport upgradation.

Best known in India so far as producer of F-16 and its supplier to Pakistan, Lockheed has started pitching for nearly half-a-dozen fighter planes, helicopters, missiles and other defence equipment before the Indian Government. It has got the requisite clearance, in some cases licence, from the Bush Administration to do presentation before Indian officials. Topping the list from its stable is F-16 that in past 25 years has been supplied to two dozen countries.

It is the same F-16, which Pakistan wants. Selling F-16 to Pakistan was not on Lockheed’s radar right now and as of now, it has not been put on its production schedule, June Shrewsbury, vice-president, F-16 Programmes, told The Indian Express.

Orville Prins, vice-president Business Development, India, said Lockheed Martin was also interested in offering F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the patriot advanced capability (PAC-3) defence missile system and C-130J-30 Hercules helicopters. Having recently expanded its office in New Delhi, it is also planning to jump into the civilian sector as well, including the border security, border surveillance, airport traffic management, postal department, census and aerospace programme of India.

‘‘Sale of fighter planes and other products is part of establishing a long term relationship with India,’’ said Prins.

Lockheed has either already entered into a dialogue with private and public sector companies or has initiated exploratory round of talks with them. Among the prominent companies it is having talks in this regard are the Tatas, Reliance, Infosys in the private sector and the Hindu Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electricals Ltd in the public sector.

While Lockheed would bring expertise, intellectual capital and rapid growth of engineering talent, the low-cost structure would bring a potential blend of capabilities, he added. As a result of the tie up, Indian companies could have export capabilities.

Besides entering into a long term partnership with Indian companies with regard to joint production, Lockheed is interested in entering into a R&D (Research and Development) relationship with them. It has been talking to a number of companies in this regard for the past one year now.

The Bush Administration, officials said, had already given licences in a number of products, including F-16, to have technical discussions with the Government of India. Though a final deal will require a Congressional approval, Lockheed officials said it was merely a formality as all such approvals had been made in the past.