Aero India 2023 in B’luru from Feb. 13

New Delhi, Feb. 4: US defence major Lockheed Martin will showcase its F21 fighter jet, S-92 multirole helicopter, MH-60R Romeo multi-mission chopper and anti-tank weapon Javelin, among others, at the upcoming Aero-India exhibition in Bengaluru.

The 14th edition of AeroIndia, known as Asia’s largest aerospace exhibition, will be held at Bengaluru in Karnataka from February 13 to 17. Almost all leading aerospace companies around the world are expected to attend the event at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, in a total area of around 35,000 sq metres. Lockheed Martin has been pitching its F-21 aircraft as the best option in the Indian Air Force's hunt for 114 combat jets.

The company said it will showcase its vast range of advanced defence capabilities and solutions at AeroIndia and the exhibits will include the F-21 fighter aircraft, C-130J transport aircraft, MH-60R “Romeo” multi-mission helicopter, Javelin weapon system, and S-92 multi-role helicopter, among others.

“We are excited to participate at Aero-India 2023 to showcase our advanced capabilities and address our customers' biggest challenges for the 21st century,” William Blair, chief executive, Lockheed Martin India Private Ltd said.

The top executive said Lockheed’s focus in the country would be to create opportunities for the local industry to feed into the global supply chain and manufacture in “India, for India and for the world”.

“We continue to strengthen and grow our presence and partnerships in India for strategic security and greater selfreliance in the defence sector,” he said.

“We have a high degree of confidence in the manufacturing and technical capabilities of the Indian industry which is reflected through our two joint ventures and multiple associations with public and private companies of all sizes, including MSMEs,” Blair added.

The company said the prime attraction at the Lockheed Martin booth will be the F-21 fighter aircraft cockpit demonstrator.

It said the F-21 jet, which is on offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the MultiRole Fighter Aircraft competition, is configured with the latest sensors and mission avionic systems. The Indian Navy's most recent rotary wing acquisition, MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk helicopter, will occupy a prominent place at Lockheed display.