Lockheed prioritizes F-21 despite F-35A display in India

Lockheed Martin, America's defense giant, faces a strategic crossroads in its ongoing campaign to secure India's massive Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender.

The company's initial focus has been on the F-21, a customized F-16 variant marketed exclusively to India. However, the dazzling appearance of two F-35A stealth fighters at Aero India 2023 has reignited discussions about Lockheed potentially offering its premier technological marvel to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The F-21: A Familiar, Upgraded Option​

The F-21 builds on the F-16's proven legacy. With a production line buzzing in Greenville, South Carolina, Lockheed promises ease of integration and "Make in India" opportunities.

The F-21 offers enhanced capabilities, including advanced avionics and weapons systems, positioning it as a cost-effective modernization workhorse. This approach aligns with the IAF's stated goal of 114 new fighters and substantial technology transfer within India.

The F-35: A Technological Disruptor​

The F-35's arrival on Indian soil was a calculated move. Its fifth-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities represent a quantum leap over the F-21.

Offering the F-35 could dramatically alter the Indian fighter landscape and cement Lockheed as India's long-term strategic partner. But this path has hurdles – the F-35's price tag, potential export restrictions, and disruption of India's focus on domestic manufacturing.

Factors Influencing Lockheed's Strategy​

Several variables will likely shape Lockheed Martin's ultimate play:

• The RFP Wording: The specifics of India's Request for Proposal will be crucial. Does it place a heavy emphasis on cost and "Make in India", or is there room for higher-tech, higher-priced options?
• US-India Relations: The geopolitical context matters. Is the US willing to offer the F-35 to further solidify a strategic partnership with India, potentially offsetting the cost?
• Competitors: Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, the French Rafale, and others are in the fray. Lockheed must tailor its offer accordingly to maintain a competitive edge.

The Stakes Are High​

The MRFA tender is more than just a lucrative contract – it speaks to India's future defense posture and the delicate equilibrium of regional power. For Lockheed Martin, winning would cement its position in an immensely valuable market.

Failure to secure the contract, however, could be a significant blow as other global aerospace giants gain influence.

 

[sanket]

60 year old Design India Need Latest design/contempoarary .Similar claims were made when india was scouting for Naval version with Advance Avionics ,,AESA Radar,weapon package etc. But at the end Rafale won the Race . US aat the moment dont have Latest design to offer compare to EuroFighter Rafale or even Gripen (which is not likely to win). some times article comes on F-15Ex Now its Rebranding F-21 .IAF needs Twin Engine Medium category Fighter. Way back it was issued single Engine Tender then it was again cancelled.US is expecting either one may win by putting some pressure if possible

 

[Deepak Hegde]

F-21 is DOA !!

 

[sanket]

Mark my word US may Return with Empty Hands all 3 Fighter may Loose the Tender,F-21 F-18 &F-15Ex.

 

[Anant]

Mark my word US may Return with Empty Hands all 3 Fighter may Loose the Tender,F-21 F-18 &F-15Ex.

The F-18 is gone anyways. The design is already marked to leave production.

 

[Harsh]

There is no other debate left to be had. India's current and future fighter jets needs requires a deal on SU-35; potent, match for requirements, flexible, upgradable and economical and with a little diplomacy and retooling can be made in India.

 

[Anant]

There is no other debate left to be had. India's current and future fighter jets needs requires a deal on SU-35; potent, match for requirements, flexible, upgradable and economical and with a little diplomacy and retooling can be made in India.

The Su-35? Why on Earth would we want a Su-35? Firstly, we ideally do not need more heavyweight fighters, which the Su-35 is. Secondly, the Su-35 incorporates lessons from the Su-30MKI anyways. If you really wanted a Su-35, just go for a modernised Su-30MKI instead. Maybe something like the Super Sukhoi program and also throw in the Al-41af engine.

 

[Pink Panther]

60 year old Design India Need Latest design/contempoarary .Similar claims were made when india was scouting for Naval version with Advance Avionics ,,AESA Radar,weapon package etc. But at the end Rafale won the Race .

But we need GE-F404, F-414 engines and MQ9, probably F21 is going to be prerequisite to get those items, the way everything getting dragged is a good indicator.

 

[Chethan Madhav J]

I bet
In 2035 i will be reading same news , GOI looking to issue RFI for MMRA

 

[Amit Dangwal]

60 year old Design India Need Latest design/contempoarary .Similar claims were made when india was scouting for Naval version with Advance Avionics ,,AESA Radar,weapon package etc.

It's the Author and the Article which is hyping and not the US itself..

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

US aat the moment dont have Latest design to offer compare to EuroFighter Rafale or even Gripen (which is not likely to win). some times article comes on F-15Ex Now its Rebranding F-21 .

Gripen would have been an excellent choice if India had fully committed to it. Have purchased 36 Rafales already there is absolutely no point in another tendering and evaluation process. Buying more Rafales is the only logical choice left. But given the high demand for Rafales, Dassault would have to set up another production line to supply India.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Mark my word US may Return with Empty Hands all 3 Fighter may Loose the Tender,F-21 F-18 &F-15Ex.

F 15 EX has a lot of potential but India already has a heavy twin engined fighter in Su 30. Might be far more cost-effective to upgrade them as necessary or purchase a few more given our good relations with Russia.

 

[Anant]

Gripen would have been an excellent choice if India had fully committed to it. Have purchased 36 Rafales already there is absolutely no point in another tendering and evaluation process. Buying more Rafales is the only logical choice left. But given the high demand for Rafales, Dassault would have to set up another production line to supply India.

The requirement for MRFA is a production line in India. That has always been a base requirement.

 

[Anant]

But we need GE-F404, F-414 engines and MQ9, probably F21 is going to be prerequisite to get those items, the way everything getting dragged is a good indicator.

Both the F414 and the MQ-9 deals are well on the way to being signed, and progress is being made. As for the F404, the Americans are saying that they can ramp up production from late 2025. Hence, I find it highly unlikely that anything will be held hostage to the F-16V winning MRFA.

 

[Kira]

Too old now,as Tejas is ramping up production(hopefully),this could have been a worthy proposition 15 or 10 years back as this jet could have quickly started to replace IAF's venerable MiG-21s back then.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

If US had a even a simple understanding of India, they would have long back offered F-35A (with lower ToT) and closed the deal, but their G-7 attitude that "let the 3rd world country fly what we plan to junk anyways" has runied all their chances of winning anything but dissappontments.
I mean, lets face it, you plan to sell the same weapons platform to arch rivals, lol...someone was smoking up something pretty high quality to live in that fallacy.
And add to that the GE engine fiasco
That is the problem with the Americans, they can neither be trusted nor have any understanding of India, and the ones guiding them are supposedly "Indians" who left India with their parents 30-40 years ago...but its fun to watch the comedy

 

[NSR]

IAF just would not bite this fighter under any circumstances. Period.

India should go with Boeing F-15EX as it is called Bomb Tuck here in America.
It can carry massive armaments and is a favorite of Israel.

Boeing offered to integrate Indian armaments in it. An extremely positive sign.

Boeing offered to help with Indian 5th Generation fighter AMCA design and manufacturing.
Boeing want India to use the local F-15EX plant to manufacture AMCA too.

If India is in dire need, then it can order additional 36 Rafale if France/Dassault will build full-fledged MRO and upgrade facilities.

 

[The Presence]

If US had a even a simple understanding of India, they would have long back offered F-35A (with lower ToT) and closed the deal, but their G-7 attitude that "let the 3rd world country fly what we plan to junk anyways" has runied all their chances of winning anything but dissappontments.
I mean, lets face it, you plan to sell the same weapons platform to arch rivals, lol...someone was smoking up something pretty high quality to live in that fallacy.
And add to that the GE engine fiasco
That is the problem with the Americans, they can neither be trusted nor have any understanding of India, and the ones guiding them are supposedly "Indians" who left India with their parents 30-40 years ago...but its fun to watch the comedy

They successfully sold us Sig-716, F-404, Hellfire, Harpoon, MQ-9, P-8I, MH-60R, Apache, Chinook, Hercules & made billions. Currently we are in the process of begging them to re-open the Globemaster production line. So is F-35 the newest addition in the wishlist of the begging bowl ?
Logic says it is, because the US has no compulsion to sell bleeding-edge VLO Stealth technology to a country which operates potentially malwared Russian AD. They already have more than enough orders from NATO as well as several Non-NATO allies, keeping aside their own which is the largest in the world.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

IAF just would not bite this fighter under any circumstances. Period.

India should go with Boeing F-15EX as it is called Bomb Tuck here in America.
It can carry massive armaments and is a favorite of Israel.

Boeing offered to integrate Indian armaments in it. An extremely positive sign.

Boeing offered to help with Indian 5th Generation fighter AMCA design and manufacturing.
Boeing want India to use the local F-15EX plant to manufacture AMCA too.

If India is in dire need, then it can order additional 36 Rafale if France/Dassault will build full-fledged MRO and upgrade facilities.

India wont let Americans anywhere near AMCA..let alone getting it manufactured in the same plant.
Regarding GE engines, they wont need any integration support as that is ADAs job since they know the interfaces.

 

[NSR]

India wont let Americans anywhere near AMCA..let alone getting it manufactured in the same plant.
Regarding GE engines, they wont need any integration support as that is ADAs job since they know the interfaces.

I did not write about GE engine integration at all.

Have you ever seen the fighter manufacturing plants of Boeing and Lockheed Martin?
At least in pictures?