American defense contractor Lockheed Martin is sweetening a potential deal with India, offering to fork over the latest fighter jet technologies in a bid for the world’s largest aircraft order. India is seeking proposals for a total 110 aircraft, totaling a reported minimum of US$15 billion.
Advanced radar fitted on their fifth-generation F-35 combat jets will be offered on the F-16 jets, Lockheed vice-president Vivek Lall said in an interview reported by Bloomberg.
“There are a lot of technologies that come into the F-16 from F-35 and F-22, including the latest radar on these platforms,” Lall said. “It is a contemporary, state-of-the-art platform.”
The bid also reportedly comes with an offer to move the F-16s only production line, currently based in Fort Worth, Texas, to India.
Lockheed sees huge potential for the company’s business in India, plans for which dovetail with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India” campaign.
“Potentially, India could emerge as a manufacturing hub for F-16. Just as the aviation industry has grown in Turkey over the years for F-16 and fighter planes, there is potential for India to become a major hub for F-16s,” according to John Losinger of Lockheed’s Integrated Fighter Group Communications. “The beauty of F-16 is it could potentially put India in the large global supplies chain. But the outcome depends on the Government procurement decision,” he was quoted as saying in The Hindu Business Line.
“Defence procurement world over is a long process and India is no exception,” Chief Executive of Lockheed’s India unit, Phil Shaw, said. “However, the quicker the orders come the better […] These defence deals have potential to strengthen business back home while also creating new jobs in the US and India,” Shaw said.
Smoke and mirrors. In the end India will get nothing and also be dependent upon expensive parts from US suppliers
Seems like USA is more frustrated than India
If this comes to pass, then i pity the Indians. Their defence posture will be controlled from Washington.
F16 uses AN/APG-80, will they replace it with AN/APG-81?
It’s not "Made in India " campaign, rather "Make in India". Ignorant author.
How would Lockheed and US government safeguard the technologies from some or all of crooked and corrupted Indian official to sell to China or Russia?
F 16 outdated now, go for F 35 itself.
Outdated? Yet Israel is flying F16’s!
yes, india is non tolalitarian and non domineering..
"will get nothing"? i beg to disagree. the deal will enhance the security and air defense capabilities of india which has a common border with an unstable and militarist neighbor.
i beg to disagree. india is a sovereign nation and is a non aligned nation. the deal is purely business and the US cannot dictate India.
Goodbye to Indias dream of becoming a major military power if it agrees to produce and use aircraft designed in the 1970s. By the way will the radar be able to detect the J20 which is going to get even better as it matures. India should be vying for the latest technology and equipment if it really wants to fulfil its goals.
But then it happens only in india-if you accept this deal and dump the fifth generation project with Russia.
Oscar Moreno Reciña lol yeah right we are still reaping the benifits of that alliance 17 years later ????????
In made in India all the manufacture units are in India nothing will be imports, all necessary raw material is produce in India
Should they go to china ???
Don’t worry, China won’t use it J20 or invade India, the Chinese hasn’t learnt how to make enough Roti and Vindaloo to feed everybody in India
Made in india is the past tense of make in india… hahaha!