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.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

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.

Precisely the reason why F-21 junk or the F-15EX have no chances of winning. None of those contracts provided India with any technology and were off-the-shelf purchases to keep the lights on as part of strategic balance.

For the same reasons why F-18 got booted out despite engine commonalities.....India will never buy any offensive platform from the USA in numbers enough that can alter the course of war...a bunch of Apaches malfunctioning is very different from 6-8 squadrons of frontline jets getting grounded at the time of need...So yes, it will be French and Russian jest for next 25 yrs

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

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?

Lol, I am a Fund investor in Defence companies, have seen a few things beyond the manufacturing plants my friend.

 

[NSR]

Lol, I am a Fund investor in Defence companies, have seen a few things beyond the manufacturing plants my friend.

If it is true, then you will comprehend/understand what I wrote properly.
Bye.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

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

That's were negotiations always falter. Only SAAB has clearly agreed to it.

 

[Anant]

That's were negotiations always falter. Only SAAB has clearly agreed to it.

Not quite. Even during MMRCA, Dassault had agreed to a production line for 108 Rafales in India, with the first 18 being built in France due to time constraints. Of course, with almost a decade gone since then, MRFA hasn't gone anywhere.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

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.

Su-35 was on his personal wishlist.
Uss kei tau, IAF mei minister hain.

 

[jagan.g]

India will not accept any foreign fighter aircraft which is not nuclear capable. And US is reluctant to agree for the same. This is the basic problem for both the countries.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Let US keep it with itself only. India should expedite LCA MK2 and induct in large numbers. Also work on indigenous NG-CCM and expedite Astra MK2 & 3.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Not quite. Even during MMRCA, Dassault had agreed to a production line for 108 Rafales in India, with the first 18 being built in France due to time constraints. Of course, with almost a decade gone since then, MRFA hasn't gone anywhere.

Both sides couldn't agree on price and negotitions were going nowhere. So India opted to buy 36 jets direct from France at a price which "many observers" said was inflated. Programs going nowhere is the principle problem in India.

 

[Akshat]

Both sides couldn't agree on price and negotitions were going nowhere. So India opted to buy 36 jets direct from France at a price which "many observers" said was inflated. Programs going nowhere is the principle problem in India.

Inflated price? GoI said that the price is actually a 25% discount. The same was attested by the independent auditor, CAG. Of course, if you think RaGa or his band counts as a valid ‘observer’….

 

[Akshat]

That's were negotiations always falter. Only SAAB has clearly agreed to it.

So did every other participant in the MMRCA or MRFA tender.

 

[Akshat]

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.

Excellent choice? It failed the trials. Not sure how a jet that can’t even meet your basic needs can be called excellent.

 

[Akshat]

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.

Wrong. You need the OEM to integrate the engines. Even for LCA mk2, GE engineers will come to India and integrate it, which has been officially stated by GE itself. So probably you need to do a bit more research while investing.

 

[Akshat]

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

US’ military’s head of Indo Pacific region had said that various platforms (he was asked specifically for F35) can be offered to India, if India sent a formal request. But with the acquisition by f S400, those opportunities were closed.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Inflated price? GoI said that the price is actually a 25% discount. The same was attested by the independent auditor, CAG. Of course, if you think RaGa or his band counts as a valid ‘observer’….

The French authorities are still probing the case despite all that. The Indian side has reportedly refused with co-operate with French judiciary on several occassions. I don't know the truth but " bribery/ illegal commissions" are common in defence procurement the world over.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

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.

Stop day dreaming. F-35 tech transfer is neigh impossible. Even the closest US allies dont get one. There are just 2 more F-35 Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO) facilities outside US. There is one in Nagoya Japan and another in Cameri Italy, both for the most part controlled by Lockheed Martin. Nobody, I repeat nobody gets a tech transfer.

 

[Akshat]

The French authorities are still probing the case despite all that. The Indian side has reportedly refused with co-operate with French judiciary on several occassions. I don't know the truth but " bribery/ illegal commissions" are common in defence procurement the world over.

So clean chits by multiple agencies, including by French authorities in the past, count for none but an ongoing case and unnamed reports are enough? Cool.

 

[Anant]

Both sides couldn't agree on price and negotitions were going nowhere. So India opted to buy 36 jets direct from France at a price which "many observers" said was inflated. Programs going nowhere is the principle problem in India.

MMRCA was cancelled because of stupidity. Dassault had formed DRAL wuth Reliance back in early 2012 for MMRCA. This was days after the Rafale was announced as the winner, and the announcement that exclusive negotiations would proceed. The government insisted that HAL be the production partner, and after some negotiations, Dassauly agreed, with DRAL being allowed to play a role in wing production.

Now, the tender never included a fixed price clause, and with inflation everywhere, the price started increasing. There was also the fact that Dassault started escalating the prices for the India-specific enhancements, but inflation was the larger culprit here.

To start with, the IAF had budgeted some 10.5 billion USD (42000 crore INR) for the fighters back in 2007 (assuming an exchange rate of 40 INR per USD for the time). By 2014, this had risen to some 17 billion USD (106000 crore INR) by 2014, at which point the government requested a price review by Dassault was done. Finally, in 2015, the government decided to pull the plug and order 36 Rafales off the shelf.

Now, as for part of why the negotiations were going nowhere: The government wanted to limit Dassault's role in the overall production process to an advisory capacity. On top of that, they wanted Dassault to take responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of Rafales manufactured by HAL. Dassault very reasonably refused, and offered to set up a joint team that would conduct these studies, after which any blame could be split between Dassault and HAL. Of course you cannot expect Dassault to bear the responsibility for HAL's work or lack thereof.

The main problems, therefore, were that the IAF started with a low budget to start with, the fact that no fixed-price clauses were put in, and the refusal of the government to let HAL take any responsibility for any delays in the process.

The first of those problems has not changed. Even just a few days back, when the Army issued that tender for the FMBT, they want a tank that is better than a 10 million USD K-2 Black Panther for 4 million USD apiece.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

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

Thats rich coming from us, when we are the only air force to still use the SEPECAT Jaguar, which if my memory serves me right is a third-generation fighter aircraft. Not only that we still continue to employ the Mirage 2000, which has been out of production for more than 155 years now. F-16 is a contemporary to Mirage and was developed about the same time. In fact the Mirage 2000 came a bit later than F-16, while F-116 were first introduced in 1978, the Mirage were introduced in 1984. That itself is a testament to longevity of design.

Its perfectly fine if we don't want to buy it, but to ridicule it by calling it old does disservice to the legacy of the aircraft and when even our latest fighters are incapable of reaching standards of networking and sensor fusion set by F-16, we ought to not comment carelessly, lest we make a fool of ourselves.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

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.

Boing already manufactures stuff in india as well. Boeing and India has good relations.