Kiran

BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence company, plans to have joint ventures in India to expand its presence and play a bigger role in the South Asian country.

"We are in detailed discussions with HAL to further our relationship and have a bigger role in India in the future," BAE Systems' Chief Executive Mike Turner has said.

BAE and Hindustan Aeronauticals Limited (HAL) are already partners in a 1.5 billion pounds project to supply 66 Hawk trainer jets to the Indian Air Force.

BAE has also created a joint venture in armoured vehicles with Mahindra & Mahindra.

BAE has identified India as its seventh "home market" after Britain, the United States, South Africa, Sweden, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

BAE is of the view that as India's economy grows, the country will want to re-equip its Armed Forces with more modern weapons.

The British company might consider having a joint venture with HAL to promote the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons. The Indian Air Force is in the process to replace its ageing Russian jets and the Typhoon is one of a number of fighters being put forward.

Turner's comments came as he delivered his last set of results as chief executive before he retires this month end. He will become chairman of Cobham.

The operating profits of the company went up to 789 million pounds in the first six months of this year, up 23 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Ian King, who takes over from Turner, said there would be improved performance in the second half as sales had been skewed towards the end of the year. This is because BAE reaches a number of key milestones in big projects such as the sale of typhoons to Saudi Arabia this year.