Lockheed Martin South Asia head named to USIBC board

22 April 2008

Washington, DC: Aerospace and defence giant, Lockheed Martin Global's, head, South Asia, G Kirkland, has been named to the board of the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Lockheed recently secured a $596 million contract for the supply of six C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes to the Indian Air Force.

Kirkland was named president, South Asia, Lockheed Martin Global, Inc. in June 2007, in which capacity he is responsible for all Lockheed Martin corporate business and customers in the region that includes the company's India, Australia and Singapore offices.

Previously, Kirkland has served as vice president, Maritime Surveillance Enterprise for Lockheed Martin Corp.

In a statement the USIBC said that since joining Lockheed Martin, Kirkland has been active in furthering US-India relationship and has been an active member of the Aspen India Dialogue since 2002.

The US Defence Department has awarded Lockheed the contract to work on the Super Hercules C-130J planes that India is buying in a $1 billion-plus package deal, its first major military purchase from the US for over 40 years.

New Delhi also has options on another six C-130Js, which will be used to support operations involving its special forces personnel and be equipped with missile and radar warning systems.