New Delhi, Sept 09: A high level us naval delegation today opened talks with Indian officials to work out a government-to-government agreement on acquisition of 8 P3C Orion long range maritime Reconissance aircraft. The US delegation held discussions with Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral S Gopalachari. The US Navy is offering the eight Orions from its own inventory at a much reduced price and the planes would later be upgraded by its manufacturers lockhead-martin before delivery to India. If the Orion deal goes through, it would be a second major defence deal between the US and India. The two countries have already concluded a government-to-government deal for sale of Antpq 37 fire finding Radars for the Indian Army. US officials said India may keep options open for purchase of 10 more of these maritime Reconnaisance aircraft, which are already in service with the Pakistan Navy.
The Orions, navy officials said, would fill the gaps created in Indian navy's maritime Reconnaisance capability by the crash of two of its four Russian acquired IL 38 Reconnaisance aircraft.

Meanwhile, admiral commanding of the French Naval Forces in the Indian Ocean, Rear Admiral Richard Wilmot-Russel arrived here today for in-depth discussions with the Indian Navy.
Bureau Report