Lockheed Asks Indian Air Force to Pay for After-Sales Service

As Indian Air Force gets ready to induct the first of its C-130J transport aircraft early next year, the US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has assured India of full serviceability at all times - but at a price.The offer from the American company may prove to be a boon to IAF which has been having massive serviceability problems with its Russian supplied short and medium haul transport aircraft which are forced to be grounded due to shortage of spares.With IAF now poised to change its transport inventory from Russia to apparently US, the Lockheed Martin is offering 80 per cent serviceability for its C-130J transport aircraft enabling it to be operational at all times.The military aircraft manufacturer has assured the IAF that it will ensure their six C-130J transport fleet is fit and ready for operations when the IAF requires it badly.In the case of C-130Js though, Lockheed Martin has given a commitment in their 2007 contract with India to provide a three-year after-sales support. But since the aircraft would be with India for at least 40 to 50 years, the US company was looking at a long-term arrangement for sustaining the aircraft for its entire life time."After the first three years of product and service support, we want to partner India on a long-term basis to sustain the C-130Js for its entire lifetime. If not the entire lifespan, at least for the next 20 years," Paranjape said.......................................indianexpress

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