WASHINGTON, May 16: A person no less than President George W. Bush is leading the US effort to sell 126 multi-role combat jets to India, diplomatic sources told Dawn.

The United States, however, is facing a tough competition from France, Sweden and Russia who also want to clinch this $10 billion deal.

The Indian Air Force is expected to float international tender for 126 combat aircraft within next two months.

Recently, India has emerged as one of the world's biggest importers of military armament. Within the next five years, India's import of military hardware and software will reach $30 billion.

In the past three years, India spent as much as $10.5 billion, making it the largest arms importer in the developing world.

The United States has offered to sell F-16 and F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft to India, triggering an intense competition between Lockheed Martin, which makes F-16s and the Boeing, which makes the F-18s.

Lockheed Martin has been aggressively pitching the F-16 for the IAF, terming it “the most successful combat aircraft programme in history.”

In a recent interview to an Indian news agency, the company claimed that the F-16 combat jet is best suited to enable the Indian Air Force to transit to fifth-generation fighters.

“The latest version of the F-16 we are offering incorporates the advanced avionics, stealth and other critical systems of our F-22 and the F-35 jets (the only two-fifth generation fighters that are currently flying),' said Ralph D. Heath, the executive vice-president of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Reports in the US media suggest that besides the aircraft, the US also hopes to get a large share of the $30 billion India plans to spend on buying new defence equipment during the next five years. In military aviation, the Indian armed forces are seeking more than 500 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Lockheed Martin is also hoping to soon conclude a deal for six C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft with the IAF. The aircraft will be used to ferry Indian Army's Special Forces and paramilitary troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

The firm has also showcased an array of helicopters, maritime reconnaissance aircraft and missile systems to the Indian armed forces.