India keen to buy 6 more C-17 planes: Boeing

The Indian Air force has expressed interest in acquiring six more C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft, in addition to a contract for 10, the US defence giant Boeing said today.

"Indian Air Force has expressed for six more C-17s," Paul Lewis, Director of International Communications for Defence, Space and Security said.

Five of the 10 aircraft will be delivered by next year and the other five in 2014, he said. The deal for supplying ten C-17 aircraft is $4.1 billion.

Boeing was also set to deliver first of the maritime petrol airplane, Poseidon P8-I, early next year to the Indian Navy, he told PTI at the Singapore Airshow being held from February 14 to 19. The P8-1 contract is worth $2.1 billion.

The Navy also has option to order four more of the P8-1, anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft in addition to the 8-unit contract.

These are Boeing's current contracts with India, a defence hardware market worth $30 billion for the coming years, added Mark Kronenberg, vice-president for International business development for Integrated Defence Systems during briefing of the group's Indian market plans.

"Boeing is also negotiating to supply 22 AH64 Apache helicopters and 15 CH 47 Chinook helicopters, the Boeing officials said. The Chinook contract is at industrial proposal discussion stage which includes modification to the helicopters to Indian specification," said Lewis.

Elaborating on Boeing's interest in Indian defence hardware investment, Kronenberg said his group was exploring all potential opportunities in the Indian market.

This includes Sabre warfare system and maritime surveillance systems.

"Additionally, we are also to provide support services and training," he said.