Lockheed Martin “Deepens ties with India’s Defence and Aerospace Supply Chain”

RMake in India, edition

First example of the Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, made its maiden flight on 30 July 2020, wearing the markings of No 75 Squadron, which will be the second operational RAAF F-35A unit. At present No. 75 Squadron operates the Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornet from RAAF Tindal, Northern Territory.

On 15 August 2020, Taiwan’s long awaited purchase of 66 Lockheed- Martin F- 16C/ D Block 70s, was formally announced. The move has been strongly opposed by Communist China even as the two nations, divided by the Taiwan Strait have carried out offensive-defensive exercises ( see news item). The Republic of China Air Force (as it is officially known) is highly trained and relatively well equipped, its fighter inventory including 115 earlier model F-16A/Bs, 46 Mirage 2000-5EIs and 103 indigenously developed AIDC F-CK-1Cs.