US giant ready to bid for AJT

Top officials from American aviation giant Lockheed-Martin today said they are ready to offer New Delhi, the medium haul C-130J transport ai...

Top officials from American aviation giant Lockheed-Martin today said they are ready to offer New Delhi, the medium haul C-130J transport aircraft and make a bid for the Advance Jet Trainer deal.

The manufacturer of F-16 combat aircraft is seeking greater participation in the Indian defence production sector as it negotiates with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

‘Britain confident of bagging £ 1.2 b Hawk deal’

BANGALORE: British aerospace systems (BAE systems) has completed price negotiations with the Indian Government on acquisition of its Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and is confident of bagging the deal, J.L. Catchpole, first secretary (Defence supply) at the British High Commission in New Delhi, said on day. ‘‘We are awaiting the decision,’’ Catchpole refused to specify as to when the price negotiations with New Delhi were completed. ‘‘We are confident. We have the best aircraft (Hawk) in the world,’’ Catchpole said. In a £ 1.2 billion deal, India plans to acquire 66 AJTs — 22 outright and 44 to be manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. British PM Tony Blair had personally intervened twice to support the BAE systems offer. (ENS)

In India for the Aero-India 2003, Lockheed-Martin is keen on pushing through its C-130J transport aircraft as a replacement for the Indian An-12 aircraft, said a senior company official. Company’s vice-president Dennys Plessas is confident that the C-130J will meet Indian requirements and is ‘‘open to offers,’’ which could also mean producing the aircraft in India.

A high-level company delegation visited HAL in August last year and will continue talks after Aero-India 2003. The company is also confident that it can offer the F-16 as well as their Advanced Jet Trainer, the T-50. Company officials claimed that it, ‘‘is the only super-sonic trainer in the world.’’

NIA chargesheets 3 in Amritsar temple grenade attack case

Cities1 hr ago

The NIA has charged three individuals for the grenade attack on a temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The investigation revealed a larger conspiracy involving terror operatives in India and abroad. The NIA is determined to bring justice and prevent future threats to national security by tracing financial networks and apprehending other suspects.

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