Lockheed Martin is looking at outsourcing IT infrastructure and Net-centric operations from domestic software majors, while pure defence component sourcing would be carried out from the manufacturing enterprises.

When contacted, Lockheed Martin vice-president Orville Prins said the company has initiated talks with several Indian companies for possible component outsourcing.

"There is a huge list of Indian companies. We are talking to a few of them. However, nothing has been finalised," Prins said.

Lockheed Martin is also planning to provide comprehensive solutions to Indian armed forces with emphasis on Net-centric operations.  Sources said the US major was considering setting up an advanced data link testing laboratory in the country.

"For this purpose, Lockheed Martin is in talks with Wipro and Infosys. The company is targeting a $10 billion potential in the next five years from the defence sector. We are keen to sell a variety of defence products to the country," they added.

The country's defence offset policy mandates contractors who bag orders valued at Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion) and above to reinvest 30 per cent of the total contract value in India.

Lockheed Martin is one of the top contenders to meet the Indian Air Force requirement for 126 multi-role combat aircraft with its F-16. It is also eyeing at various defence equipment such as six long range maritime reconnaissance anti-submarine warfare aircraft, 16 mutli role helicopters, 19 low-level transportable radars and integrated platform management system for Indian Navy.