Lockheed Martin Bets on F-21 for India's $20 Billion MMRCA Deal, As F-35A Incompatibile to Indian Current Systems

Lockheed Martin has confirmed that it is prioritizing the F-21 fighter jet, a customized variant of the F-16, for India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, a deal estimated to be worth $18-20 billion.

This clarification comes amidst ongoing speculation about the potential sale of the F-35A Lightning II to India, especially after its prominent display at Aero India 2023.

Despite the F-35A's appearance at the air show, both Lockheed Martin and Indian Air Force officials have stated that there is no current plan to acquire the fifth-generation stealth fighter. A Lockheed Martin representative confirmed that no formal offer for the F-35A has been made to New Delhi.

This stance aligns with previous statements from Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa in 2018, who categorically denied any interest in the F-35 at that time.

While the F-35A's presence at Aero India fueled rumors of a potential sale, it is now being viewed by experts as a demonstration of the strengthening U.S.-India defence relationship rather than a concrete offer.

Some analysts, like retired Air Marshal Manmohan Bahadur, believe that the F-35A's complex systems and potential integration challenges with India's existing infrastructure make it an unlikely choice for the near future.

Instead, Lockheed Martin is heavily promoting the F-21, which boasts significant enhancements tailored specifically for the Indian Air Force. These include an advanced glass cockpit, upgraded avionics, and the unique Triple Pylon Rail system, enabling the aircraft to carry multiple AIM-120 air-to-air missiles – a capability not typically found in similar fighter jets.

The F-21 is being offered as a "Make in India" solution, with Lockheed Martin emphasizing technology transfer and local production in partnership with Indian companies like Tata Advanced Systems. This approach aligns with India's push for domestic manufacturing and could potentially create thousands of jobs within the country.

However, the F-21 faces stiff competition from other global contenders vying for the MMRCA contract. These include:

• Russia's MiG-35 and Su-35: Although Russia has been a traditional defense supplier for India, the country's recent focus on diversifying its sources may impact their chances.
• Boeing's F-15EX: Boeing has received approval to formally offer its advanced F-15EX fighter jet to India.
• France's Dassault Rafale: Already in service with the Indian Air Force, the Rafale is a strong contender, with France eager to secure further orders.
• European Eurofighter Typhoon: Known for its agility and versatility, the Typhoon is backed by a consortium of European nations.
• Sweden's Saab Gripen E: Saab is offering the Gripen E, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and advanced technology, along with significant technology transfer proposals.

The final decision on the MMRCA contract is expected to have a significant impact on the future of India's air power and its strategic defense partnerships.

Furthermore, the development of India's own fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process. The success of the AMCA program could potentially influence India's long-term reliance on foreign fighter jets like the F-35A.

 

[Akshat]

Ok, let me explain why it is said that only Russia is the source country of India's fifth generation fighter jet technology.
The reason why Russia does not transfer fifth generation aircraft technology to India is because this technology is the most advanced for Russia, and no country is willing to transfer its most advanced technology to other countries.
When the United States successfully developed the F-22, Japan prepared to purchase it, but the US legislation refused to export the F-22 and instead exported the slightly inferior F-35. This is because in the 1970s, the United States sold Iran its most advanced F-14, and later regretted it, even destroying all retired F-14s to prevent Iranians from buying F-14 parts on the black market. Now the United States only allows its allies to purchase F-35 instead of selling technology.
When Pakistan purchased the J-20 from China, China politely refused and instead sold the J-31/35 with lower performance. Similarly, China did not transfer technology to Pakistan.
Nowadays, Russia, like the United States, hopes that India will purchase finished products or assemble them in India. India hopes to acquire all the technology, which is obviously impossible. Only when the Russians have developed better technology can they possibly transfer the existing technology to India, which takes time.
For the United States, even though the F-16 and F-15 are no longer as advanced, the radar, electronic systems, engines, and other technologies used in these aircraft are not sold to the outside world. For example, the engine used in the KF-21 from South Korea is the F-414, not the more advanced F110 series, and South Korea only uses it without transferring production technology. If India applies to the United States for more advanced engine technology, they will only say two words, it's impossible, and pay more money.

Still doesn’t answer how we can expect Russia to give us fifth gen tech before we make AMCA.

 

[tipoo2]

So Rafale is also vintage, pretty much every fighter jet in the competition is vintage except Gripen-E and after that SU-35.

If that's the standard then yes, they're either all vintage or the F16 isn't. But even the Gripen E is more like an F16 block upgrade, the airframe itself is mostly the same as the older platform.

 

[PKPRS]

If that's the standard then yes, they're either all vintage or the F16 isn't. But even the Gripen E is more like an F16 block upgrade, the airframe itself is mostly the same as the older platform.

if all are vintage, among all the jets in the competition, only F16 Block-72/F-21 has the longest service life 12,000 hours, Gripen-E and Rafale have a service life of 8000 hours.

 

[Konodioda]

Still doesn’t answer how we can expect Russia to give us fifth gen tech before we make AMCA.

I have explained that it is only after the Russians develop more advanced technology that they can transfer technology to India

 

[shekhar]

America don't get Fighter Jet order from India. It's confirm. Only jet that India might consider is F35 only because of delay in AMCA, otherwise no American jets 🙏

 

[Akshat]

I have explained that it is only after the Russians develop more advanced technology that they can transfer technology to India

They have refused to transfer us the tech or even Ka226, a decades old platform which itself has been rejected by Russian forces. So the argument doesn’t hold water.

And you still couldn’t answer the second part. How can Russia transfer any tech when it itself doesn’t have fifth gen tech?

 

[desigandu]

In my opinion, India should scrap MRFA, formally request for F-35As and do a G2G while adhering to some american. strings….

Rafales are clearly not 5th gen, and we will have 5th gen flying in Pakistan and China in very large numbers.b y 2030, while our AMCA will only fly by 2035 - so we will be screwed/exposed.

My proposed solution is to accelerate Tejas Mk2, buy 50 F-35s, accelerate AMCA and the high thrust engine by standing up, bankrolling a private sector player like tata (as HAL is incapable to deliver on time) by GOI and throwing lots of money/incentives at domestic production. Rafales may be capable but we can’t afford $20-25B on 4th gen.

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

No Fighter jets from US stick to your own indegenious development including engine. Do not trust anyone else except your own capabilities.

 

[desigandu]

AMCA doesn't exist, and that 5.5th generation claim is still unsubstantiated.

AMCA may not be available at scale before 2040, unless something dramatically changes in the next 10 years…and Rafales though capable are not 5th gen, too expensive, won’t be available before 2032-2035, and besides solving for our depleting numbers don’t get us more capability…

Of course i don’t have a magic wand…
A classic Indian quandary with no easy solutions…

 

[Bijaya Kumar Sahu]

US Fighter jets don't fit in to our requirements. All arms, ammunition will be dictate by US. They won't share source code to integrate Indian missiles.

 

[desigandu]

Here goes dreams of all f35 supporters, now go and procure f35, as for reality Rafael and su 57 are the only options

My prediction is no more major Russian weapon systems will be brought by Bharat, unless something changes dramatically geopolitically…

Russia is now dependent on China for its survival, and that is unlikely to change soon.

 

[R. Singh]

Recent attack by IAF (Israel air force) on Lebanon, shows that F-15EX and GBU combo is deadly for enemies and F-35 armed with MUMT and recently developed hyper sonic missile by US will make it valuable asset ! Second IAF the Indian air force must buy made in India these fighters ! Have pro active approach there will be no point when PAF start flying J-31 and KAAN fighters !

 

[Mayank Shukla]

Imagine India ordering 200 Rafale in 2007 itself when it was L1 and all make in India.
French would gone crazy now we have increased Rafale price and demand without ourselves getting anything substantial.

 

[M.H.]

Brazil is unhappy with GripenE's and gone for Rafales now...

Brazil has not opted for the Rafale and is not unhappy with the Gripen. In fact, they are very pleased with the aircraft, as they are thinking of increasing the original order...

 

[Avinash Kumar]

It is absolutely very clear from the facts available that India must not buy anything else than a 5th gen jet fighters. This could be either F 35 or SU 57. Let the experts to decide for the one which is better.Furthermore the number such unit must never be more than 50.Rest of all be taken care of by making of Tejas MK 1 A, Tejas MK 2 and upgradation of SU 30 MK I.

 

[sumeet biswas]

You do realise that fighters don't just pop out of thin air, right? To increase production rates, you need hundreds of suppliers to scale up. That is not something that can be done quickly or on the cheap.

Sure, you can get 200+ Tejas Mk 2s (approximately) for the price of MRFA as a whole, but the problem will be building those. At the present time, our indigenous suppliers cannot scale up fast enough, which means that you'll simply introduce a lot of supply bottlenecks by going down this route.

let it be late !! ultimately it will increase our capacity to make higher numbers

 

[Konodioda]

They have refused to transfer us the tech or even Ka226, a decades old platform which itself has been rejected by Russian forces. So the argument doesn’t hold water.

And you still couldn’t answer the second part. How can Russia transfer any tech when it itself doesn’t have fifth gen tech?

I don't understand why most military enthusiasts mock the Su-57, thinking that it's not a fifth generation aircraft. Russia has fifth generation aircraft technology, and the Su-57 is capable of performing super maneuvering, supersonic cruising, long-range, stealth, and certain situational awareness capabilities. It is not to say that only after meeting the standards of F-22 and F-35 can it be considered a fifth generation aircraft. The focus of China and Russia's fifth generation aircraft is different.

When designing the F-22, Americans put more emphasis on stealth capability and supersonic cruise capability than on hypermobility and situational awareness.
The reason why Americans emphasize stealth ability is that when designing the F-22, American designers need the F-22 to break through the Soviet Union's powerful air defense system in Eastern Europe, avoid ground radar detection, and attack them. They need to be as stealth as possible.

The F-22 emphasizes supersonic cruising because it aims to quickly return after striking Soviet bases. After turning on Maximum thrust, the fuel consumption of the fourth generation aircraft will sharply increase. For example, when the F-15 and F16 are fully loaded and complete their missions, they can only maintain maximum thrust for just over ten minutes and may not even fly 100 kilometers. There are many military airports on both sides of the Iron Curtain, and the Americans need to get rid of the Soviet aircraft as soon as possible. Supersonic cruising aims to significantly reduce supersonic fuel consumption, allowing the F-22 to fly as far as possible.

This is also why the United States emphasized the need to embed weapons and extend missile ranges as far as possible when designing fifth generation aircraft, that is, beyond visual range strikes.

The design concept of Su-57 is clearly different from that of F-22. Russia has rich experience in World War II and the Cold War. In the eyes of Russians, the enemy's missiles are launched at a farther place, which means that pilots have enough time to get rid of missile tracking. The effect of BVR is far less effective than what the Americans advocate. The key to eliminating opponent planes is still medium range strikes and close combat. So when designing the Su-57, the Russians put more emphasis on hypermobility and supersonic cruise capability than stealth capability.
Therefore, it is not as many people say, because the Su-57's stealth performance is insufficient, so it is not a fifth generation aircraft.

Similarly, when designing the F-22, the Americans emphasized 4S, but sacrificed the combat radius. The effective combat radius of F-22 is only 700 kilometers. This is because the main operational location of the F-22 envisaged by the Americans is in Western Europe. There are many airports in Western Europe, so it does not need too high operational radius. But for Russia, a super voyage is necessary because its territory is too vast.

On the contrary, when the Americans tried to deploy the F-22 in Kadena, they could only barely reach Shanghai. Therefore, the F-22 is not suitable for combat in the Western Pacific.

 

[Anant]

let it be late !! ultimately it will increase our capacity to make higher numbers

That it would, but there is no point in getting stuff when it is not needed and not having stuff when it is needed.

Your logic would put the IAF at 42 squadrons sometime in the early 2060s. Are you ready to gamble the next 40 years with a reduced IAF comprising mostly older aircraft?

 

[Sammy]

Why do US say that Indian infra is not compatible. What needs to be upgraded gun India for F35 ?

 

[linus52]

Who is STUPID to make this decision? Stay away from USA procurement policy it is going to kill us

 

[Pixel]

Better to have another 50-60 raffale; till time our home made fighters are ready

 

[Prasad]

Ha Ha ! USA cannot deliver GE engines because of "supply chain constraints" yet they dream of bagging F-21 deal !!!!

 

[Kunwar Sahab]

First of all Former IAF Chief clearly said they want only twin Engine multirole fighter because tejas mk2 production is only 4-5 years away and 120+ tejas mk1a jets will be delivered in next 5 years so there is no place of f-21, only Dassault Rafael and Boeing f-15 EX will fight for their chances in MMRCA 2.0 and Both Fighters are Awesome and super powerful 4.5 Gen Monster's both can fuck China's farzi 5th gen junkfighter 🐉

 

[Capt Mahendra]

Absolutely and we have our own jewel in the crown AMCA which is better that F35. AMCA is a 5.5gen fighter made of today's tech whereas F35 was first flown in 2006.

Yes AMCA should be fast tracked and involve all the premier institutions to further the technology to be one up on the fighter jets of the World. Dedicate each institution for a particular technology research and to speed up the technology. Then the DRDO can be the integrator to verify and validate the technology for production with active participation from the large private business houses right from initial stages itself so that we can cut down the huge time taken from concept to induction.

 

[ikaz]

Imagine India ordering 200 Rafale in 2007 itself when it was L1 and all make in India.
French would gone crazy now we have increased Rafale price and demand without ourselves getting anything substantial.

With the benefit of hindsight, that would have been awesome. Though for those who had foresight, scrapping the old contract was a bad decision even in 2014.