Lockheed Martin signs pact with Tata to make F-16 planes in India

[Romali_rotti]

Lockheed Martin signs pact with Tata to make F-16 planes in India




Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with India's Tata Advanced Systems on Monday to produce F-16 fighter planes in India The announcement comes days before PM Modi travels to Washington for a first meeting with Donald Trump

PARIS: Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with India's Tata Advanced Systems on Monday to produce F-16 fighter planes in India, pressing ahead with a plan to shift its Fort Worth, Texas plant to win billions of dollars worth of order from the Indian military. India's Air Force needs hundreds of aircraft to replace its Soviet-era fleet, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has said foreign suppliers would have to make the planes in India with a local partner to help build a domestic industrial base and cut outright imports.

However, PM Modi's Make-in-India drive runs the risk of conflicting with US President Donald Trump's America First campaign under which he has been pressing for companies to invest in the United States and create jobs instead of setting up factories abroad.

In announcing their agreement at the Paris Airshow, Lockheed and Tata said moving the production base to India would still retain jobs in the United States. "F-16 production in India supports thousands of Lockheed Martin and F-16 supplier jobs in the US, creates new manufacturing jobs in India, and positions Indian industry at the centre of the most extensive fighter aircraft supply ecosystem in the world," a joint statement by the firms said.

Sweden's Saab is the other contender to supply the Indian Air Force, offering to make its Gripen fighter in India. It has not yet announced a local partner for the plane which it has pitched as a modern alternative to the F-16s.
The announcement comes days before PM Modi travels to Washington for a first meeting with Donald Trump, scheduled for June 26. India and the United States have built a close defence relationship in recent years with Washington emerging as among the top three arms suppliers to India, along with Russia and Israel.

India will also have the chance to export the F-16 that is flown by air forces around the world, the joint statement said. Some 3,200 of these planes are being flown by 26 countries and the model that is being offered to India will be Block 70, the most modern of all the F-16s.



"This unprecedented F-16 production partnership between the world's largest defense contractor and India's premier industrial house provides India the opportunity to produce, operate and export F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the newest and most advanced version of the world's most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter," the statement said. Tata is already building airframe components for the C-130 military transport aircraft. India has not opened formal bidding for the jet order, which is expected to be anything from 100 planes to 250.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...f-16-planes-in-india/articleshow/59219572.cms

Not sure if its worth investing on an out of date equipment, block 70s however would be quite lethal nevertheless...

 

[Hornbill]

If these birds are going to make in India the production cost will be less, they can find potential buyers with in asia excluding india.

 

[Romali_rotti]

If these birds are going to make in India the production cost will be less, they can find potential buyers with in asia excluding india.

From an Indian perspective:

Positives:

- Block 70 would be the best & most advanced aircraft in Asia.
- Pretty much seals India/US alliance. China would be uneasy
- India gets good know how of a reliable platform which would help them with the homegrown fighter.

Negatives:

- Russians would be unhappy and they would supply Pakistan with the Sukhoi.
- Swedish Gripen would have been better, it has a better airframe.
- If US goes, we want you to send a batch of block 70 to Pakistan, INDIA IS STUFFED

 

[SandyB]

Finallly , some company decides to "make in India", after all those pullouts . Modiji needs to get serious about creating jobs here, atleast a few of us voted him in for that ..

 

[Hornbill]

From an Indian perspective:

Positives:

- Block 70 would be the best & most advanced aircraft in Asia.
- Pretty much seals India/US alliance. China would be uneasy
- India gets good know how of a reliable platform which would help them with the homegrown fighter.

Negatives:

- Russians would be unhappy and they would supply Pakistan with the Sukhoi.
- Swedish Gripen would have been better, it has a better airframe.
- If US goes, we want you to send a batch of block 70 to Pakistan, INDIA IS STUFFED

i don't have much idea about fighter planes, based on information passed by media reports Qatar is very much interested in buying f15 planes which imo is not up to date compared to f16(correct me if i'm wrong") they are still going to buy it, if India Can produce these flights at a cheaper cost it will surely disrupt on going fighter jet sales negotiations with in asia

 

[Yossarian]

PARIS: Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with India's Tata Advanced Systems on Monday to produce F-16 fighter planes in India, pressing ahead with a plan to shift its Fort Worth, Texas plant to win billions of dollars worth of order from the Indian military....

[....]

However, PM Modi's Make-in-India drive runs the risk of conflicting with US President Donald Trump's America First campaign under which he has been pressing for companies to invest in the United States and create jobs instead of setting up factories abroad.

Let's see what Trump has to say, especially when the workers at the Fort Worth, Texas plant (and the local economy dependent upon the plant being there) realise what's about to happen.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Let's see what Trump has to say, especially when the workers at the Fort Worth, Texas plant (and the local economy dependent upon the plant being there) realise what's about to happen.

Regardless of what happens with this India deal F16 production at Fort Worth is going to end. But of course Fort Worth is not going to close as the article above suggests - they are just going to increase f35 production there which desperately needs an output boost.

I believe Lockheed Martin employ over 15000 people at Ford Worth and that won't be changing anytime soon.

 

[Yossarian]

Regardless of what happens with this India deal F16 production at Fort Worth is going to end. But of course Fort Worth is not going to close as the article above suggests - they are just going to increase f35 production there which desperately needs an output boost.

I believe Lockheed Martin employ over 15000 people at Ford Worth and that won't be changing anytime soon.

In that case it's sloppy journalism. For the quoted article says:

....pressing ahead with a plan to shift its Fort Worth, Texas plant.....

Besides, you're presenting a false argument. Any production moved out of the USA is lost jobs for Americans. Because the counter arguement could be along the lines of "...why not simply expand the Fort Worth plant to cater for the increase in F35 production, thereby creating more jobs for Americans?",
"And in case the Fort Worth plant can't be expanded for whatever reason, why not shift production to elsewhere in the USA and create jobs there?"

A Trump supporters argument would simply be "Any jobs created in India are jobs lost, or not created, in the USA". And that's quite apart from giving a future competitor a boost by transferring your know how to them and helping them to create a base for future expansion.

 

[Romali_rotti]

In that case it's sloppy journalism. For the quoted article says:


Besides, you're presenting a false argument. Any production moved out of the USA is lost jobs for Americans. Because the counter arguement could be along the lines of "...why not simply expand the Fort Worth plant to cater for the increase in F35 production, thereby creating more jobs for Americans?",
"And in case the Fort Worth plant can't be expanded for whatever reason, why not shift production to elsewhere in the USA and create jobs there?"

A Trump supporters argument would simply be "Any jobs created in India are jobs lost, or not created, in the USA". And that's quite apart from giving a future competitor a boost by transferring your know how to them and helping them to create a base for future expansion.

My gut feeling tells me that the deal has be given the all clear by the Trump camp otherwise this news would not have come out. It is now just a matter of formality and papers will be signed when Modi meets Trump in a week.

 

[the Great Khan]

err theres no deal yet..the deal is that if they win the conest then these two companies will build the aircraft in india. Considering the timescales and the time it took for the last competition to be completed, the F16's that will eventually rollout from the production line will already be practically obsolete in front of fifth gen fighters..hence why I dont think this bid will win..I reckon the Griphen has a better chance..

 

[sshakir411]

Didn't the Indians previously say F-16s were trash? Also, this seems to be a strategic move to save costs in the production of fighter jets...which makes sense but what happens when the sale of these jets is approved by the US government to lets say a country like Pakistan? Will Indians tell Lockheed to pack their bags and leave?

 

[Lonewarrior]

No MoU signed between Indian govt and Americans, this pact is nothing. even if both govts agreed in later stages, thn it wont be ToT.
americans dont do ToT. it will be only an assembly plant like Turkish airforce have ... thats it.

 

[Romali_rotti]

No MoU signed between Indian govt and Americans, this pact is nothing. even if both govts agreed in later stages, thn it wont be ToT.
americans dont do ToT. it will be only an assembly plant like Turkish airforce have ... thats it.

Turkey just has the assembly factory where broken up f16s are put together. What india if it proceeds would be getting the entire produxtion line from Texas. Tot will vary and i dont see the Americans telling us about the important know hows. Nevertheless it would be still be a good learning curve for the Indians. Block 70 will have an older air frame that has been upgraded with avionics and radar that would be very advanced comparable to the modern fighters. I personally prefer the Gripen however India will not choose the Gripen over the block 70 as this deal is not just about a fighter jet it would be about alliance to counter China also.

 

[Vayuu]

i don't have much idea about fighter planes, based on information passed by media reports Qatar is very much interested in buying f15 planes which imo is not up to date compared to f16(correct me if i'm wrong") they are still going to buy it, if India Can produce these flights at a cheaper cost it will surely disrupt on going fighter jet sales negotiations with in asia

F15 is more of a air superiority fighter,f16 is medium multirole combat both different rather have gripen,with lca mk2 and mk3 for future.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Looks like it's only the wings (currently made in Israel) that will be made in India.

America's F-16 Fighter: Made in India?
Well, at least some of it.

President Trump wants to bring manufacturing back to American shores.

But that doesn't include the components of one of America's prime fighter jets. The F-16 Block 70 , the most advanced version of the Fighting Falcon, will have its wings produced in India. Lockheed Martin has partnered with India's Tata Advanced Systems to produce in Hyderabad.

Technically speaking, this will not cost any American jobs, because F-16 wings are currently made in Israel by Israel Aerospace Industries. On the other hand, it's hardly a victory for Trump's call for U.S. manufactured to bring their outsourced production back home.

"This strategic initiative positions Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to become the provider of wings for all future customers," said a Lockheed Martin statement. "This is a strategic business decision that reflects the value of our partnerships with India and the confidence we have in Tata."

Responding to speculation that the move is an incentive for the Indian Air Force to purchase the F-16, Lockheed Martin stated the "the planned F-16 wing production move to India is not contingent on the Government of India selecting the F-16 for the Indian Air Force."


Lockheed Martin spokesman told the National Interest that "it will take approximately two years for Tata to demonstrate this manufacturing capability and become a certified Lockheed Martin supplier. The opportunity for wing production occurs once that is completed, projected to be late 2020 or early 2021."

This isn't the only manufacturing change for the F-16 Block 70 (and the Block 72, a similar model with an engine made by Pratt & Whitney instead of General Electric). Lockheed Martin is moving F-16 assembly from Fort Worth, Texas to Greenville, South Carolina.

"The Block 70 and Block 72 both feature the same advanced avionics, APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, modernized cockpit, advanced weapons, conformal fuel tanks, automatic ground collision avoidance system, advanced engine, and industry-leading extended structural service life of 12,000 hours," Losinger said.

The F-16 Block 70 scored its first sale in June, when Bahrain ordered 16 jets in a $1.1 billion deal, followed by a 14-jet purchase by Slovakia, which opted for the U.S. plane over Sweden's Saab Gripen.

"We are also proposing the F-16 Block 70 for the Bulgarian Air Force and we’re in discussions with numerous other customers about new production F-16s, and F-16V [the Viper version] upgrades," said Losinger. "We see F-16 production opportunities totaling more than 400 aircraft, including the potential F-16 Block 70 order for the Indian Air Force."

Which is good news for Lockheed Martin, and the United States, which will enjoy seeing former Russian clients like Bulgaria and India buying American aircraft to replace their MiGs. But the wings will still be made in India, which is good news for the Indian economy.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/americas-f-16-fighter-made-india-31512

 

[shaz619]

Nice cheap labour

 

[Suleiman]

Finally something good for Indian brothers.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Wings it is.............................

 

[navin]

They will make wings here because they have to fulfill the offsets obligations. BTW it's good, Lockheed will make them in collaboration with "Tata Advanced Systems".

Slowly and steadily we'll have a private sector aircraft manufacturer as they are already making a lot of parts and even fuselage for Lockheed, Boeing, Syrkosky and even assemling whole aircraft for Dornier and Pilatus.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Lockheed Martin have renamed its F16 being offered to India as the F21.To get over the psychological point of it being an old generation aircraft.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AeroIndia2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AeroIndia2019</a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockheedMartin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LockheedMartin</a> unveils F-21 multi-role combat fighter jet for India <a href="https://t.co/HVNg4SXwCu">https://t.co/HVNg4SXwCu</a></p>— ABP News (@abpnewstv) <a href="https://twitter.com/abpnewstv/status/1098121083004248066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Romali_rotti]

lol How desperate is Lockheed Martin to name the F-16, F21 lol ).... I hope India stays far far faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrr away from this plane.......

 

[Varun]

Surely we're not going to fall for that?

Also the negative connotations of sharing the same number as the MiG-21 Flying Coffin...

 

[Adijazz1706]

Is thia the American version of the MiG21? Strange nomenclature, never heard of the f21 before

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Lockheed Martin still desperate to sign a deal.

The Americans don’t exactly treat all their customers well - in the past they’ve taken money from various nations and then refused to deliver for political reasons (Pakistan, Egypt). And even recently they suspended the F35 sale to the UAE.

At least when the French or Russians take your money they will deliver.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As Aero India commenced in Bengaluru’s Yela-Hanka Air Force Base today, William Blair of Lockheed Martin said it is offering F-21 exclusively to India. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AeroIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AeroIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockheedMartin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LockheedMartin</a><a href="https://t.co/MiUmDjMEJ7">https://t.co/MiUmDjMEJ7</a></p>— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBCTV18News/status/1356918802735370242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lockheed Martin inks pact with HAL for collaboration in India's aerospace sector<a href="https://t.co/FFKsL91ioT">https://t.co/FFKsL91ioT</a></p>— Business Today (@BT_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/BT_India/status/1358113393668947971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>