The Hindu : India discusses Orion deal with U.S.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003

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India discusses Orion deal with U.S.

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI SEPT. 9. India has begun discussions with the U.S. on the second major defence deal since sanctions were lifted in 2001. Having signed a Rs. 600 crore deal last year, the first of this size in three decades, officials from both countries are now discussing the purchase of a complement of aircraft to beef up Indian surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Officials did not put a figure to the deal as price-related discussions were in preliminary stages but indicated that India would be interested in 10 Orions to replace partly the ageing fleet of Russian IL-38 and TU-142 M reconnaissance aircraft.

During two days of presentations, U.S. officials will acquaint their Indian counterparts with proposals to refurbish the airframe and discuss equipment fitment options and product support terms. India will then weigh the total price package for Orions with the cost of upgrading the eight TUs and three surviving IL-38s after two collided during an air show last year.

A couple of aircraft from the existing fleet has been despatched to Russia for upgrading but the Indian navy is despairing of them and wants replacements. The endurance of American and Russian maritime surveillance aircraft is generally comparable but most of the TU-142M equipment is obsolete in today's environment. Besides, their maintenance had become difficult because of spares procurement difficulties after the break-up of the Soviet Union, sources said.

Talks on upgrading the airframe are vital since the U.S. Navy had used these Orions for some time. Their production ceased in the late eighties following the introduction of the more advanced P-3 C variant. There are two versions on why the latest variant is not on offer. According to one, the U.S. is reluctant to sell this multi-use aircraft for fear of upsetting the regional balance. Naval sources claim that its maker Lockheed Martin had expressed unavailability of some crucial sub-systems.

The Orion was in the news two years ago when it collided with a Chinese fighter aircraft while on an American spy mission over the mainland. While the Chinese pilot died, the Orion was forcibly brought down and its crew detained. After a diplomatic row, the disassembled plane was returned and the crew repatriated.

India's single largest deal signed with the U.S. was for Raytheon Corporation's specialised radars for locating hostile enemy artillery gun positions. As was the case with that deal, the Orions will be bought on the basis of an inter-governmental agreement.

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