Monday, February 14 2005 20:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: US armament major today (Feb 14, 2005) gave an assurance to India that they will maintain a technology balance and secrecy in military sales of hi-tech weapons systems and platforms, which they were already supplying to Pakistan.

Top officials of the American aviation giant Lockheed Martin, whose weapons platforms like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and P3C Orions form the frontline of Pakistani armed forces, told reporters today that they would maintain a "technology balance and secrecy" in sales of weapons and missiles to India.

Making a determined bid to enter the lucrative Indian market, with arms imports almost touching about Rs 25,000 crores last year, Lockheed officials did not take kindly to be riddled with questions on offers to India of weapon platforms, which are already in use by Pakistan.

They said other major companies like the French Mirage, as well Russians had also carried out sales to Pakistan and China of weapon systems, already in use by the Indian forces.

The company today unvieled its medium lift transport aircraft C-130J in its rapid reaction capability to Indian special forces in Agra and to top IAF and Ministry of Defence officials in New Delhi.

The US company is bidding for the IAF immediate bidding for purchase of a squadron (8 to 10) aircraft for giving the special forces an edge in fast reaction and special mission configuration.

The C130J version being offered have advanced night manouvre capabily and ability to fly undetected and land in short and unprepared runways.