September 7, 2003	Sunday	Rajab 9, 1424

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NEW DELHI, Sept 6: A US Naval delegation will arrive here next week for price negotiations on the sale of American P3C Orion range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to the Indian Navy.

India is planning to purchase eight of these reconnaissance aircraft from the inventory of the US navy at a substantially reduced price to give it capability to keep watch on Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf as well as the vital Andaman sea, Naval officials have been quoted as saying.

The purchase, being undertaken on government to government level is almost confirmed, the officials said adding, the US Naval delegation, during its talks with Indian Navy top brass, would finalize the price and guarantee on supply of spares and building up an infrastructure for these long range maritime aircraft.

India is keeping its option open for acquisition of 10 more Orinons, Mike N. Kelly, Director International Marketing of Lockheed Martin, was quoted as having said on the side lines of the 8th International Civil and Defence Equipment and systems exhibition which concluded recently. Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral John Desilva who visited the exhibition on Thursday was given a detailed presentation on the P-3 Orions by the Lockheed Martin official.—APP