India asks for C-130J aircraft

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- India has asked the United States for six Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft in a Foreign Military Sales deal worth a total of $1.2 billion.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in its notification to Congress, said that in addition to the six planes the deal includes six Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines, eight AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, eight AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers, eight AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems, eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites, eight ARC-210 radios, and 3,200 flare cartridges.

Also included are spare and repair parts, configuration updates, communications security equipment and radios, integration studies, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment.

"The proposed sale will provide the Indian government with a credible special operations airlift capability that will help deter aggression in the region and provide enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support," the agency said.

The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Ga., and Rolls-Royce Corp. in Indianapolis, Ind.

Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractors.