Top US radar system for Indian defence

‘‘We are looking at that now,’’ he said. ‘‘We have a very rigorous disclosure process and that is being reviewed.’’ AESA radar would make the US fighters more lethal and less vulnerable.

Raytheon says it gives more time for target observation, information sharing and assessment by commanders before critical decisions are made.

Kohler said he expected Pakistan, to modify plans to buy Boeing Co , BA.N F-16s from the United States as a result of the October 8 earthquake that killed more than 70,000 people.

‘‘I think what we were ready to do right before the earthquake is probably going to have to change,” he said. ‘‘We are expecting either that it will be stretched out over a longer period of time or maybe broken up into different options or maybe reduced,’’ he said.

‘‘We’ll get back with Pakistan early in the new year and see what they want to do,’’ Kohler said.

Pakistan had asked about buying as many as 75 new F-16 C/D Falcon fighter aircraft and 11 used F-16s after the Bush administration said in March it would resume sales following a nearly 16-year break.

The US about-face was widely seen as a reward for Pakstan’s support in the US-declared global war on terrorism.

India, for its part, is expected to issue a formal tender for 126 so-called Medium Multi-role combat aircraft later this month, Kohler said. The potential value of the deal has been estimated at more than $5 billion.

Lockheed Martin, LMT.N Corp, the Pentagon’s No 1 supplier, is pitching India its F-16 Block 50/52, the most modern F-16 flown by the United States and the production standard.

Boeing Co ,BA.N, the Pentagon’s No 2 supplier, is offering its dual engine F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, the most modern US combat aircraft currently in full-rate production.

India has also invited bids from Sweden, France and Russia.

—Reuters