Bengaluru; Global aerospace major Lockheed Martin provided the ideal start for Aero India 2019, offering to manufacture uniquely configured F-21 fighters in the country in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) exclusively for the Indian Air Force (IAF), as part of a “game-changing” ‘Make in India’ initiative, on Wednesday.
This combat jet would incorporate several technologies from all fighter aircraft of Lockheed Martin but would be rolled out to suit the requirements of the IAF in the 21st century, and to bolster bilateral relations between the United States and India, Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President (Aeronautics Strategy & Business Development), Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, told Deccan Chronicle.
Pointing out that the aerospace major has identified more than 190 firms, including those in public sector, to roll out components and systems indigenously for this new fighter jet, he said “We will manufacture the aircraft in five years from the day the government approves our proposal.”
He said “The F-21 is different, inside and out. The new [F-21] designation highlights our commitment to delivering an advanced, scalable fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force that also provides unrivaled industrial opportunities and accelerates closer India-US cooperation on advanced technologies,” he said but declined to discuss unique features which would be built into this aircraft.
Obviously eyeing a $ multi-billion deal, Dr Lall said Lockheed Martin would respond to the EOI (expression of interest) whenever required, indicating that it would be in the race for the IAF’s plans to buy 114 fighter jets to strengthen its fleet strength. His firm has already responded to RFI (request for information) by the IAF last year.
Lockheed Martin has proposed this new combat jet in the light of lukewarm response to an announcement about partnership with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) for manufacture of F-16V fighter aircraft with advanced features such as AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar. Dr Lall, however, disagreed that Lockheed Martin was offering an obsolete jet in F-16, saying 3000-odd out of the 4500 F-16 jets were being flown by air forces across the world.
Lockheed Martin’s F-16 was among six aircraft shortlisted for the multi-billion MMRCA contract by the previous UPA government, but Rafale jet manufactured by Dassault was chosen by IAF.
