today

India has sought information on buying what would be its first U.S. military aircraft, six Lockheed Martin C-130J "Super Hercules" cargo planes, U.S. Air Force officials and others said Friday. Two other people familiar with the matter said India had asked about buying six C-130Js in a letter received by U.S. officials Thursday. The four-engine turboprop C-130, built by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp., is the U.S. Air Force's workhorse cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The "J" is its latest model

It would be the first Indian purchase of U.S. military aircraft. U.S. President George W. Bush has sought to develop closer operational ties with India's armed forces .The Bush administration already has offered India a choice of two U.S. fighter aircraft -- Lockheed's F-16 and Boeing Co.'s F-18 SuperHornet -- as entrants in a multi-role fighter aircraft competition New Delhi is organizing.