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Indo-US deal close to finalization for transport aircraft
New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI)

Indian Air Force is on the threshold of concluding a deal for the purchase of six C-130J transport aircraft manufactured by the American company Lockheed-Martin.
 This was hinted today by IAF chief S P Tyagi who said the negotiations for the purchase of the aircraft, which have the capability of taking off and landing from even makeshift runways, was in final stages.
‘‘A decision can be expected soon’’ Tyagi said on the sidelines of Western Air Command conference here.
IAF is buying six of these new generation aircraft on government-to-government sales for special forces which now operate from Russian AN-32 aircraft.
 The Hercules C130J have the capability to operate at night.
 On the the other major deal relating to purchase of 126 Multirole Combat aircraft for IAF, the Air Chief said the request for proposals would be issued soon.
 ‘‘We are in the process of tying it up’’, he said. Six major competitors US Lockheed-Martin F-16’s, Boeings F-18/A Superhornets, Eorfighter Typhoon, Swedish Grippen, French Rafale and Russian new generation fighter Mig-35 are bidding for the Indian deal.