WASHINGTON, Feb 13: The Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday that it had signed a $186.5 million contract with the US government for upgrading seven P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft for Pakistan.

The company said it would continue to support the Pakistan Navy’s P-3C upgrade programme, which began in March 2006.

The company has delivered one upgraded surveillance aircraft, which was inducted in January, and a second aircraft is expected to join the fleet in March.

The P-3C weapons system is the primary maritime surveillance aircraft operated by the US Navy and 17 international allies.“This programme represents an important expansion of the US Navy, Pakistan Navy and Lockheed Martin P-3 relationship,” said Tom Pillion, US Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft director for International Programmes.—Correspondent