How the US Offer of F-20s with Full Tech Transfer in 1980s Could Have Accelerated India's LCA Program

In the 1980s, long before “Make in India” became a national rallying cry, there were glimpses of such an approach. One striking instance was Northrop Grumman's proposition to shift the entire F-20 fighter jet production line to India. This coincided with India's nascent Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, creating a fascinating intersection in India's defence history.

Northrop Grumman's unprecedented offer to relocate the F-20 manufacturing facility promised not just the fighter jet but also a significant transfer of technology, skills, and economic advantages. This could have potentially propelled India's aerospace sector to the global forefront.

However, the F-20, despite being positioned as a cutting-edge aircraft, was becoming obsolete by the mid-1980s. Its airframe, based on an older design, couldn't match the capabilities of emerging rivals. Moreover, the Indian Air Force's acquisition of advanced fighters like the Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 further diminished the F-20's appeal.

Meanwhile, India was embarking on its ambitious LCA program, aiming for self-reliance in defence technology. The program, though plagued by delays, underscored India's determination. Had India accepted Northrop Grumman’s offer, the influx of manufacturing expertise and technology could have potentially fast-tracked the LCA's development.

This lesson has deeply shaped India's policies in the decades since. The LCA program, despite its hurdles, ultimately resulted in the Tejas fighter jet, a symbol of India's growing aerospace prowess.

While the F-20 offer remains a captivating "what-if" in India's history, it highlights the complex interplay of technology, geopolitics, and national aspirations in shaping a country's defence capabilities.

 

[NSR]

It is the truth.

India asked for F-16s but it was only offered F-5 Tigershark nicknamed F-20. And in the final offer they took out the engine TOT for F-29 too so India rejected.
Now one of the contender for MRFA is F-16 renamed as F-21.

IAF will never touch any variants of F-16s under any circumstances.
They would rather fly whatever they have now.

Perhaps India should get additional 36 to 54 Rafales to help IAF fighting posture until we get our Super Sukhois, Tejas Mk2, and AMCA 5th generation fighters.

 

[Devasahayam]

F-20 "transfer" was actually due to NG's not being able to sell USAF on it -- almost akin to how we got Folland Gnat dies and lines due to RAF's not being receptive to it back in 1950s (one of the few wise moves by Nehru -- only due to that his buddy Mountbatten prodded him). There was no "American Mountbatten" who had ears of Indira in 1981, nor Rajiv later.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Can US be trusted on defense matters?

“In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship of members of minority faith communities,” Mr. Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State.

US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain said “Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,”.

 

[RalphRearden]

Correction: The writer missed the actual reporting
"The establishment of such a facility would have ensured that we remain a screw driver assembly shop for decades to come, stifling innovation, scuttling all indegneous programs, and creating a long-term dependency on US foreign policy, turning India into a vassal state like our western neighbour"

 

[Akshat]

Correction: The writer missed the actual reporting
"The establishment of such a facility would have ensured that we remain a screw driver assembly shop for decades to come, stifling innovation, scuttling all indegneous programs, and creating a long-term dependency on US foreign policy, turning India into a vassal state like our western neighbour"

Tejas is still only 50% indigenous. We are taking longer for mk2 now than we did for mk1. We still can’t make more than 5 Tejas annually. So not much has changed. But considering that HAL would have been in charge at the time anyways, so no benefits could have been accrued from the US offer either. Our fate was written well in advance.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Tejas is still only 50% indigenous. We are taking longer for mk2 now than we did for mk1. We still can’t make more than 5 Tejas annually. So not much has changed. But considering that HAL would have been in charge at the time anyways, so no benefits could have been accrued from the US offer either. Our fate was written well in advance.

More important than that dude, we are yet to see the full induction of the original Tejas. What these chumps think is that even if we develop a platform 3 decades late, it is great because we built it. Except what it discounts is that tech has moved on from 80's and modern jets are not so much about physical performance but avionics and electronic warfare.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Still USA is offering India vintage F-16 re branded as F-21 nothing has changed in US mindset ! They should offer F-36 (-5th gen) and F-35 (5th gen ) to India !

 

[wallisk]

They offered F20 Tigershark a pseudo updated F5 jet actually. Then Dassault saved IAF with Mirage2000's. And then, Rajiv-G Fucqked IAF forever by cancelling make in India by HAL of Mirage2000 jets, in favour of LCA sheets. Now, 42 years later the combat version of LCA jets are STILL not yet delivered to IAF fleets!!

 

[wallisk]

More important than that dude, we are yet to see the full induction of the original Tejas. What these chumps think is that even if we develop a platform 3 decades late, it is great because we built it. Except what it discounts is that tech has moved on from 80's and modern jets are not so much about physical performance but avionics and electronic warfare.

42 years from date of inception of an idea coined as LCA still no Full combat version of jet delivered to IAF....

 

[wallisk]

Can US be trusted on defense matters?

“In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship of members of minority faith communities,” Mr. Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State.

US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain said “Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,”.

But then, after this USA fake offer IAF went on to buy the most useless boolsheets "widow-maker" Russian junks MIG23 and MIG27 jets from Russia in huge nos....

 

[Akshat]

More important than that dude, we are yet to see the full induction of the original Tejas. What these chumps think is that even if we develop a platform 3 decades late, it is great because we built it. Except what it discounts is that tech has moved on from 80's and modern jets are not so much about physical performance but avionics and electronic warfare.

Let alone these chumps bro. Even our MoD doesn't understand the concept of tech obsolescence. People often say Mr. Parikkar was our greatest DM and what not. But remember his statement in Parliament? He said one of the issues with Tejas is it's maintenance. But this was raised in 2009 when the design was finalized. He didn't mention that the plane was actually 1.5 decades late by then and such changes are obvious!

 

[Avada kedavra]

It is the truth.

India asked for F-16s but it was only offered F-5 Tigershark nicknamed F-20. And in the final offer they took out the engine TOT for F-29 too so India rejected.
Now one of the contender for MRFA is F-16 renamed as F-21.

IAF will never touch any variants of F-16s under any circumstances.
They would rather fly whatever they have now.

Perhaps India should get additional 36 to 54 Rafales to help IAF fighting posture until we get our Super Sukhois, Tejas Mk2, and AMCA 5th generation fighters.

Well its a big shocking news that the US even offered a fighter jet during the cold war. I used to think the americans only started considering india as a potential ally after 2008.

When the civil nuclear deal was signed and when china started rebelling against the west g7 dominated global status quo.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Well nothing has changed , uncle sam even now tried to sell a rehashed f16 which is obviously rejected and we are " still " on the the process of inducting our 4th gen fighters which as usual haven't started.

 

[Parimal Pandya]

It was preferable to get foreign collaboration to get weapons than relying on the substandard output of the educational institutions in the country always losers

 

[Sandeep]

The USA weren’t doing any favours to India by offering their F20 jet. They only offered that deal because it had no military value as it had old air frames, old and outdated technology and equipment was obsolete. The Tejas MK1A turned out to be a better jet than their old junk.

India made the right decision as otherwise we would just be stuck in importing foreign expensive parts, equipment and technology that only they will provide.

 

[Dredd]

The USA weren’t doing any favours to India by offering their F20 jet. They only offered that deal because it had no military value as it had old air frames, old and outdated technology and equipment was obsolete. The Tejas MK1A turned out to be a better jet than their old junk.

India made the right decision as otherwise we would just be stuck in importing foreign expensive parts, equipment and technology that only they will provide.

Agree, but india should have taken license manufacturing of either Mirage 2000 or Mig 29, In Hindsight, india should have only chosed Mirage 2000 with license production, They could have skipped on Mig 29 and Mig-27, and our airforce would have been much more streamlined without current circus of many imported items and no requirement of MRCA.

 

[Pad UwU]

It is the truth.

India asked for F-16s but it was only offered F-5 Tigershark nicknamed F-20. And in the final offer they took out the engine TOT for F-29 too so India rejected.
Now one of the contender for MRFA is F-16 renamed as F-21.

IAF will never touch any variants of F-16s under any circumstances.
They would rather fly whatever they have now.

Perhaps India should get additional 36 to 54 Rafales to help IAF fighting posture until we get our Super Sukhois, Tejas Mk2, and AMCA 5th generation fighters.

I would rather choose to buy more and upgrade all remaining su30mki into super sukhoi version with our own Uttam AESA radar and many more indianize systems and ask Russian for indianize version of alf41's engine kakakakak 😹😹😹 let us oversaturate the skies with drones and supers sukhois with the upcoming brahmos NG and the rudram plus other weapons we have

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Tejas is still only 50% indigenous. We are taking longer for mk2 now than we did for mk1. We still can’t make more than 5 Tejas annually. So not much has changed. But considering that HAL would have been in charge at the time anyways, so no benefits could have been accrued from the US offer either. Our fate was written well in advance.

Couldn't agree more. Still no sign of Tejas Mk1A. Hoping Tejas Mk2 and AMCA to fill the gap by miracles. We should get the 114 MRFA soon at least in instalments but need the 114 fighters instead of dilly dally. Meantime let MK2 and AMCA take their own time to happen at whatever timeline.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Still USA is offering India vintage F-16 re branded as F-21 nothing has changed in US mindset ! They should offer F-36 (-5th gen) and F-35 (5th gen ) to India !

Even if the Americans offer F35 is India willing to take the offer? Now this is a big question taking enormous operating costs into consideration.