Lockheed Martin Asserts F-21 as India's Gateway to Acquiring F-35 Stealth Jet, Also Promising Near 6th-Gen Capabilities at Half the Cost

Global aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin is promoting its F-21 fighter jet as a strategic pathway for India to eventually acquire the premier F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.

The proposal was detailed by CEO Jim Taiclet, who also revealed plans for a significantly upgraded F-35 variant that would offer capabilities approaching the next generation of fighter jets at a fraction of the cost.

Speaking at the Bernstein 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, Taiclet outlined a two-pronged approach to deepen the company's strategic ties with India. He positioned the F-21, an advanced aircraft derived from the F-16, as a crucial "stepping stone" for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"There are some countries that could see F-21 or F-16, for India, for example, as a stepping stone to F-35," Taiclet stated. This strategy acknowledges the complexities surrounding the direct sale of the F-35, which is subject to stringent U.S. export controls under the Arms Export Control Act, requiring high-level approvals from multiple government bodies.

The F-21 is being offered specifically to meet India's defence needs and would be produced locally in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. This custom-configured aircraft features advanced avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and enhanced weapons capacity, making it a formidable 4.5-generation fighter.

While an F-35 sale has been verbally offered to India by U.S. officials, Taiclet's comments suggest a phased approach. By first adopting the F-21, India could build the necessary industrial and operational foundation for a smoother transition to the more technologically sophisticated F-35 platform in the future.

Alongside the India-specific proposal, Lockheed Martin announced a "fifth-generation plus" initiative for the F-35. This ambitious upgrade plan aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies that the company developed for the U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a contract Lockheed ultimately lost to Boeing.

The upgrades include advanced radar and infrared-absorbing stealth coatings, structural modifications to improve its low-observable profile, and superior electronic warfare and networking systems. Taiclet claimed this enhanced F-35 could deliver 80% of the capabilities of a brand-new sixth-generation fighter, like the recently announced Boeing F-47, at approximately half the cost.

A key highlight of the proposed upgrade is the potential for the F-35 to become "optionally manned." Taiclet noted, "We could make the F-35 pilot-optional over a relatively modest timeframe," leveraging autonomy software developed for the NGAD bid.

This would align the aircraft with the future of air combat, which increasingly involves unmanned systems and manned-unmanned teaming. The company estimates some of these upgrades could be ready for integration within two to three years, pending funding.

This dual strategy comes as Lockheed Martin navigates a competitive global market. The phased offering to India is seen as a move to counter the influence of Russian and Chinese fighter jets in the region, while the F-35 upgrade plan is designed to maintain the aircraft's technological dominance for decades to come.

 

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[Sivbal]

We should go with our Tejas MK2!

 

[sreekanth850]

Why do india opt this against SU 57 with ToT

 

[sanket]

Oh, both fighters will not win MRFA competition, no chance whatever. F-21 does not exist while F-35 will not be offered under Make in India Autonomy/Local ecosystem. A fighter jet called F-16 has a history of being shot down. In 2019, as well as in 2025 Sindoor operation, how does LM expect it to win in MRFA competition?

 

[Raj]

U lost man. No body trusts you. U lost major defence market for peanuts.

 

[Paul]

The F-21 offers a quick boost in capability, making it a tactical acquisition, but its reliance on U.S. systems and support—even with a proposed full production line in India—creates long-term dependency.

 

[Mc Addy]

There is no problem if TOT is done, get the fully operational production line and make all here as per our wish. No problem then .

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

India should think about the F-35, but the F-21... NO WAY! India needs a stop-gap purchase because Pakistan is getting J-35s from China, and China already has more than 200 stealth jets. India needs a counter. Our own AMCA will not become a reality before 2040, so we have to purchase one. Three squadrons of F-35s, three more squadrons of Rafales, and three additional S-400s. These deals should be cleared immediately.

 

[Mc Addy]

India should think about the F-35, but the F-21... NO WAY! India needs a stop-gap purchase because Pakistan is getting J-35s from China, and China already has more than 200 stealth jets. India needs a counter. Our own AMCA will not become a reality before 2040, so we have to purchase one. Three squadrons of F-35s, three more squadrons of Rafales, and three additional S-400s. These deals should be cleared immediately.

It's not stop gap purchase if a full Tot along with engin tech as engines are need else where also, so if some is selling battle proven technology,lap it up, stealth will come also , do TOT for that also.Buy technology now ,not think jet as we are far far behind in 1970s era on our own .

 

[Dolund Trmup]

Deliver our Apache helicopters first.

 

[INDIAN]

American weapons means, you need to listen to America all the time.
Given the American role in recent Pakistan India conflict, its better to be self reliant.
Otherwise America will always bail out Pakistan.

 

[Ndawg]

No sense in buying any foreign fourth gen at this point. If it's foreign, make it to accelerate the advent of fifth gen by a decade. If it's fourth gen, make it indigenous with larger orders and more production lines of Tejas MK2.

 

[Kira]

The F-21 offers a quick boost in capability, making it a tactical acquisition, but its reliance on U.S. systems and support—even with a proposed full production line in India—creates long-term dependency.

Which India already is, that is already reliant on the US via third countries like many nations in EU and of course Israel.

 

[Kira]

F-21 is a due now, but the F-35 would be a great offering in countering the J-20/35.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

US playing games with GE engine supply. We already have risked all of our manned jet developments on USA engines. We should not depend on USA for critical defence platforms.

 

[Enforcer]

F-21 is a due now, but the F-35 would be a great offering in countering the J-20/35.

F-21 does not offer anything particular that we don't get with Rafale. If we wanted 4th gen, only Rafale makes sense. We cannot have chichdi of fighter jets with every plane available on market. Logistics would be nightmare, training too. But wasting money on 4th gen now is bad idea.

F-35 is important in small numbers like 60-70. I think would be ideal stop gap until AMCA. Also it will give us exposure to 5th gen tech and experience which can helpful when designing AMCA.

 

[Sunnyj]

F-35 will kill AMCA and F-16. The IAF doesn't want the F-16, I'm guessing, as Pakistan has it. Su-35 MKI (not stealth) or Su-57 is better.

 

[Enforcer]

Which India already is, that is already reliant on the US via third countries like many nations in EU and of course Israel.

It's true, mainly Israel. It used to be Russia but Russian sensors, electronics and avionics are not always the best.

 

[Prince singh Rawat]

Oh, both fighters will not win MRFA competition, no chance whatever. F-21 does not exist while F-35 will not be offered under Make in India Autonomy/Local ecosystem. A fighter jet called F-16 has a history of being shot down. In 2019, as well as in 2025 Sindoor operation, how does LM expect it to win in MRFA competition?

Still F-16 is the most widely used fighter jet in the world, tho it's true that out of 4600+ produced total around 600+ have been lost or crashed.

 

[Dredd]

Who is this person to decide whether India is ready for an advanced 5th generation fighter or not? And what does he mean by F-16 is a stepping stone to F-35? We operate much more advanced fighters in Rafale compared to so-called F-21 jets. Even Gripen is a better choice than F-21. The ego of Americans has no bounds. Do these cheap tricks on countries like Pakistan, but then you have to pay for their purchases as well.

 

[Rohit Saxena]

So far as my opinion goes, it's always better to bet big on our own indigenous fifth-generation plus platforms, as achieving tech independence in the era of stealth, both manned and unmanned fighters, is a must. Since AMCA is already in an accelerated mode of development, we should have patience and await its arrival. Any foreign origin system comes with its own set of do's and don'ts, and with no access to source codes and engines, it becomes extremely difficult to integrate our own subsystems as well as sell to third countries. For India to emerge as a superpower, we should focus only on developing our tech and weapon systems. It would only enhance our respect and prestige.

 

[Dragon]

So, they are not going to offer F-35 as a standalone offer; we must buy F-21s, and then there's a chance they will offer us F-35s. The delusion of Americans is crazy. I suggest don't even bother with America at all on any defence stuff. Take up the Su-57 offer, even with AL-41 engines, take it, it can later be upgraded to AL-51 when the AL-51 is ready. If I were in charge, I would order 114 Rafales under full ToT agreement, including full ToT and IPR of engines as well as the jet. Then an F-414 equivalent engine can be made from M-88 easily. This would solve the engine problem for Tejas Mk2 and AMCA Mk1. Next, I would also order 235 Su-57s with full ToT and IPR, including that of the AL-51 engines and full ToT for the BrahMos missile as well, since some of its components still have to be imported. All this with 300+ Tejas Mk2s and 335 AMCA Mk1s. And of course, speeding up the CATS Warrior and Ghatak programs.

 

[Sandeep]

This is just another clever, devious, capitalist, calculated way by the USA to increase their defence exports. The USA doesn’t want to turn India away and ruin a growing closer relationship but they don’t want to give us access to the latest defence weapons, equipment and technology. They also don’t want to transfer any key technology to us or manufacture it locally using Indian raw materials.

With the F35 jets Trump said he is very happy to sell that jet and more advanced weapons and technology to us. Now when it comes down to a potential deal then the small print and details in the contract is what truly matters.

India can certainly buy 1-2 squadron of the F35 jets at a low cost but we won’t get any ToT, no local production, no indigenous technology or weapons will be installed or be able to use, no local MRO facility and no local training facility. There’s a lot more that we can’t do or have any control over it but we end up with a very very expensive maintenance, repairs and sustaining costs while they remain in service.

 

[Buck]

Still F-16 is the most widely used fighter jet in the world, tho it's true that out of 4600+ produced total around 600+ have been lost or crashed.

Its widely used because it's cheap compared to other american fighter jets and you would have to face the anger of uncle Sam if you buy better jets from Russia.

 

[Sathish Kumaram]

We would be indepedent..fight war with weapons for which control lies in India and Indian forces..not want to be puppet weapon.