Thursday, February 10 2005 22:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: American aviation major Lockheed Martin said today that it envisages phenomenal growth in the Indian aircraft sector, both in civil as well as military areas.

Lockheed Martin, the maker of F-16 Fighter aircraft, is participating in the fifth edition of the biennial Aero India exhibition being held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka near Bangalore showcasing their P3 Orion and the C-130J aircrafts.

Expressing happiness over the receipt of a Request for Information from the Indian Government, the company said that discussions are on at the Governmental level and hoped that the two countries would come closer to take bilateral trade and commerce to a greater height.

Elaborating on the company's current strategy in India, the company said that they have already extended a Special Mission proposal to the Ministry of Defence on the C-130J and at the same time are new exploring business opportunities in India.

Dennys Plessas, Regional Vice-President for Lockheed Martin said, "Currently we have four plants for assembly and manufacturing across the globe and are receptive to new partnerships. You never know, F-16s might roll out of HAL, Bangalore as well, he said".

Asked specifically about the supply of F-16s to Pakistan, Plessas said that it is not fair to talk about one country's deal in another country adding, "let us leave political issues to their respective Governments".