'Jet capabilities, not politics, should determine contract'

Posted on: Feb. 21st, 2006 || Source: hindustantimes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Lockheed Martin Corp, the biggest US defence contractor, on Tuesday downplayed the potential effect of Washington's political influence on India's planned purchase of 126 new fighter jets.

Lockheed is competing with an array of airplane makers, including US rival Boeing Co, Dassault Aviation of France, Sweden's Gripen-SAAB and Russia's Sukhoi, to sell jets to India in a deal worth at least $8 billion ($6.7 billion).

India currently has no American-made fighter aircraft, but its relationship with Washington -- which was tense during the Cold War -- is now rapidly warming.

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