Bangalore: Lockheed Martin, the world's largest Defence contractor (by revenue from Defence equipment) and one of the leading technology corporations, is looking at business opportunities worth between $12 billion and $15 billion in India during the next 10 to 15 years.

The opportunities are in areas as diverse as Defence, systems (avionics) that integrate the managing of sea-based platforms, airport traffic management systems and information technology.

Vast potential

According to Orville Prins, Lockheed Martin's vice-president for business development, the programmes could provide vast potential for India, not just to acquire state-of-the-art technology but also offset opportunities for Indian industry and a chance for India and the U.S. to create export opportunities to third countries.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Prins said Lockheed Martin, whose sales totalled $39.6 billion in 2006, is offering five programmes to the Indian Defence forces to meet their current and anticipated requirements.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The most talked about offering is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which is competing with five other contenders for the Indian Air Force's requirement for a multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). The company is also offering the P-3C Orion for the Indian Navy's Long-range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) programme, the C-130J Super Hercules strategic heavy-lift aircraft for the IAF, the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter for the Navy and the `hit-to-kill' Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) terminal air defence missile.

"We have established assembly lines producing the F-16 in five countries, and more than 20 countries are participating in the co-production of components. We know how to work with partners," said Mr. Prins.

Lockheed Martin is hoping that the Navy will chose the MH-60R helicopter for their anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare operations. The Navy is looking to buy 16 such helicopters in a deal worth around $1.5 billion and sent a request for proposal (RFP) to three global helicopter majors in December 2005.

Said Cathleen Hrustich, the company's business development manager, "India is the first country to whom we are offering this U.S. Navy helicopter."

The LRMRASW deal, which is for the acquisition of nine aircraft that will replace the Navy's Tu-142, is worth around $1 billion.

Many in the race

An RFP has already been sent out, and the Europeans and Russians also vying for it along with Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

Mr. Prins also hoped that India would choose the C-130J. The IAF is looking to acquire six aircraft of this class with an option to buy six more.

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