Lockheed Martin ready to use Indian components in Aegis combat system

Lockheed Martin said it is open to using some Indian components in Aegis combat system if chosen to supply the country's navy with its Aegis ballistic missile defence system. "Because of the way the Aegis combat system is constructed, there is the ability to put specific indigenous capabilities in portions of it," Ric Rushton, director for sea-based missile defence at the firm, told . He said the system is built on the principle of "open architecture", allowing countries buying it to use parts made at home. Those countries, the two top US allies in Asia, have naval destroyers equipped with Lockheed's high-tech Aegis system, which is designed to track incoming missiles and shoot them down. "A similar model could work in India if that's what they are interested in," said Rushton, at IMDEX Asia 2009 show. Rushton said no decision had been made by India. "It's their timeline. I think they are looking to make a decision sometime this year. I'm very optimistic about it. I think there is a solid operational requirement on the part of the Indian navy, they need this kind of capability", he added.