WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: Lockheed Martin has named Roger Rose as its new Chief Executive for India, with responsibility for coordinating the US security company's relationship and ongoing programme execution in India.

Rose succeeds Douglas Hartwick who led the corporation's New Delhi office through the creation of Lockheed Martin India Private Limited and helped explore potential opportunities in all aspects of cooperation with the Indian government and corporate partners, the Bethesda, Maryland, headquartered company announced Tuesday.

Hartwick has been appointed special advisor to the corporation's International Business Development team with a focus on strategic alignment to address the Indian government's evolving global security needs.

"Lockheed Martin approaches the Indian market with a solid commitment and a dedicated in-country presence with our office in New Delhi," said Lockheed Martin Vice President of Corporate International Business Development, Pat Dewar.

"Roger brings a wealth of programme execution experience to his new position and he will continue to expand on the solid foundation that Doug has provided through the stand-up of Lockheed Martin India Private Limited. Roger's appointment will ensure our valued relationship with the Indian government is fully supported for the long-term."

The Lockheed Martin F-16I Super Viper is one of the six fighters in contention for an Indian Air Force (IAF) order for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, with the numbers likely to go up to 200. The IAF has also purchased six Lockheed Martim C-130j Super Hercules aircraft in a deal valued at over $1 billion.

In his prior assignment, Rose led the corporation's electronic systems business efforts to bring the latest in naval surface and submarine combat systems, ocean exploration, and alternative energy solutions to the Indian marketplace, the company said.

He is a retired career US Navy officer in the Submarine Service and has more than 10-years of hands-on international business and policy experience, including a posting as the US Naval Attache to Israel, and frequent travel to South Asia over the past six years.

A graduate of the US Naval Academy with a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering, Rose also holds a master's degree in physics from the University of Washington.

Lockheed Martin, a global security company with reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion, is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.