Lockheed Says It Has Won India Licenses

(02-10) 13:52 PST BANGALORE, India (AP) --

Lockheed Martin Corp., the biggest U.S. defense company, said Thursday it has won export licenses to sell C-130J military transport planes and P-3C Orion naval surveillance aircraft to India.

The U.S government granted the licenses after New Delhi urged Washington to allow the sale of the aircraft to India's military, said Dennys Plessas, regional vice president of Lockheed Martin.

"You cannot answer those letters of request unless you have (issued) the export license," Plessas said, alluding to the U.S. administration's strict rules for exporting military technology.

"Our understanding is that India would need eight to 12 P-3Cs and a small number of say, six to eight, C-130Js," he told reporters on the sidelines of an air show in southern India, where aircraft makers from around the world were exhibiting their products.

India is also considering buying the single crew fighter aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcon, as its front-line fighter aircraft.

Plessas said if India buys the jets, Lockheed Martin would be a reliable supplier of spares and technology, and that the United States was keen to allow joint production of the F-16 in India.