Lockheed to produce F-16 fighter jet wings in India
The wings of Lockheed Martin's F-16 fighter jets will be produced in India, the company announced on Tuesday. It has entered into an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the production of the wings. Lockheed officials insisted that the planned F-16 wing production to India is not contingent on India selecting the F-16 for the Indian Air Force.
The wings of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 fighter jets will be produced in India, the US security and aerospace giant announced on Tuesday, in a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Maryland-based Lockheed Martin has entered into an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the production of the wings.
Lockheed officials insisted that the planned F-16 wing production in India is not contingent on India selecting the F-16 for the air force. Lockheed has offered to move its entire F-16 manufacturing base to India. But India is yet to take a decision on it.
Producing F-16 wings in India will strengthen Lockheed Martin’s strategic partnership with TASL and support the ‘ Make in India’ initiative of the government, the company officials said.
“Building F-16 wings in India is a natural next step that builds on our successful partnerships with Tata on the C-130J [Super Hercules airlifter] and S-92 [helicopter],” said Vivek Lall, vice-president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “This is a strategic business decision that reflects the value of our partnerships with India and the confidence we have in Tata to deliver world-class products,” Lall said.
Lockheed Martin’s broader proposed F-16 ties with India — to produce F-16s exclusively in India for its air force and export customers — stands firm, the company said.
Lockheed submitted a comprehensive, fully compliant 600-plus page request for information response to the Indian Air Force.
Last year, Lockheed Martin and TASL announced their intent to join hands to produce the F-16 Block 70 in India if the jet is selected by the Indian Air Force.
The F-16 Block 70 features advanced avionics, a proven active electronically scanned array radar, a modernised cockpit, advanced weapons, conformal fuel tanks, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, an advanced engine, and an industryleading extended structural service life of 12,000 hours.
To date, 4,604 F-16s have been procured by 28 customers. Around 3,000 operational F-16s are flying today with 25 leading air forces, including the US Air Force.