Sunday, March 27 2005 11:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: US aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin has offered to build "exclusive" F-16 fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), much superior to any existing fighters in service the world over.

"If India's requirements are beyond any existing fighters, we are prepared to make upgraded F-16s to India's specifications with complete transfer of technology," Mike Kelly, Senior Executive of Lockheed Martin said in comments that assume importance after US Administration's decision to clear sales of high-technology fighters to India and Pakistan.

"We have in the past taken up building of such exclusive fighters for UAE and are prepared to manufacture F-16s to India's special requirements," he said.

The F-16 deal, like the weapons-locating radars and new contract for the US Navy cover for Indian naval submarines in distress, is going to be concluded as a Government-to-Government deal under the FMS system, which would enable delivery of fighters on fast track basis.

The deal estimated to cost $ 6 to 7 million projects supply of 18 aircraft in flyaway conditions and the rest 108 assembled in India under technology transfer.

Analysts said that Administration's announcement yesterday (Mar 26, 2005) meant that along with the sales of the fighters, Washington might allow the sale of entire array of weapons platform mounted on it, including beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and 100 km standoff ground target engaging missiles.