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.

 

[sanket]

US want to win MRFA by offering Vintage Fighter jet, Look like Naval Tender US might b convince F-18 no more going to win , does US have withdrawn from MRFA ..................??? no mention of that Jet in Article .

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Already too much dependence of our fighter jets on US engines. We should not have any more dependence on US for critical hardware. Most worrying factor is US may have permanent Naval base in Bangladesh. We must not get into US trap.

 

[Bard of Anarchy]

If India do buy the F-21 take the dengpill bros, anything can happen..

 

[tipoo2]

US want to win MRFA by offering Vintage Fighter jet, Look like Naval Tender US might b convince F-18 no more going to win , does US have withdrawn from MRFA ..................??? no mention of that Jet in Article .

I mean the Rafale first flew in 1986, the Su-30 in 1989, the F16 may have been from the previous decade but the platform age is similar for all of them and kind of irrelevant in the face of what the modern upgrades are. If you want to make other criticisms of the F16, have at it, but fourth gen jets are still extremely numerous and will be in service for decades to come and this is among the most modernized upgraded ones in the F21 variant, akin to the Rafale F4 on upgrades, and then it's a matter of considering cost vs capabilities etc.

 

[Konodioda]

First, the F-21 is not enough to fight against the PLAAF. Americans spare no effort to promote the F-21 to India, most likely because Americans want to keep the production line of the F-16, which is helpful to their employment and weapons production capacity.
Second, referring to the British F-35, the United States needs to provide the source code for launching missiles, but they refused. Britain is the closest ally of the United States, without a doubt. Britain cannot freely control the F-35, let alone India. If India buys the F-35, the result is that as long as the Americans do not agree, Indians cannot launch missiles, or even take off.
Third, American weapons are too expensive. The unit price of the F-35 sold to Japan exceeds $200 million, and since India is not a treaty ally of the United States, this price may be even higher.
Fourthly, the current F-35 production capacity of the United States is only about 130 aircraft, half of which need to be given to NATO allies. Even if India buys the F-35, the United States does not have enough production capacity, so India's acquisition of the F-35 will be very late, possibly after 2035.
Fifth, India is currently unable to develop the fifth generation fighter by itself. The American technology is advanced, but unreliable and very expensive. A relatively stable source of technology is likely to be Russia.

 

[Satya Dev]

Can we not use the triple/quadruple pylon rails on all our existing frontline combat aircraft to make them more potent?

 

[sanket]

I mean the Rafale first flew in 1986, the Su-30 in 1989, the F16 may have been from the previous decade but the platform age is similar for all of them and kind of irrelevant in the face of what the modern upgrades are. If you want to make other criticisms of the F16, have at it, but fourth gen jets are still extremely numerous and will be in service for decades to come and this is among the most modernized upgraded ones in the F21 variant, akin to the Rafale F4 on upgrades, and then it's a matter of considering cost vs capabilities etc.

Technology is different F-21 have reach the upgrade Limit, while Rafale can b upgraded further for Next 40 to 50 years , Drone complement Rafale may b offered second weapon package too will b offered upgraded Like MICA-NG , Meteor-NG& scalp-NG May b some features may b borrowed from F5 version Lastly Design is Latest wile F-21 has old Design Combat Radius & payload is another Factor & Most important thing is will LM shift the production Line if it win MRFA Accidently ...............??? On third party weapn Rafale can b Integrated with Brahmos-NG in Future Will US allow Indo-Russian weapon on its Fighter Jet ...............??? To handle Rafale will need 2 to 3 F-16

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

We should select such fighter that can defeat Chinese J's and SU's over thin air sky of Tibet autonomous region (TAR) !

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Already too much dependence of our fighter jets on US engines. We should not have any more dependence on US for critical hardware. Most worrying factor is US may have permanent Naval base in Bangladesh. We must not get into US trap.

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.

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

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

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Thank you US, we never asked for F35 and we have our own AMCA which is 5.5th gen fighter unlike F35 which flew in 2006.

 

[Anant]

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.

AMCA also doesn't exist. The 5.5th generation claim had not been substantiated either.

The correct statement would be "We have our own jewel in the crown in the form of the AMCA. This will be our first fifth generation fighter, and will make India the sixth nation globally to develop such a fighter."

 

[Anant]

US want to win MRFA by offering Vintage Fighter jet, Look like Naval Tender US might b convince F-18 no more going to win , does US have withdrawn from MRFA ..................??? no mention of that Jet in Article .

The F-18 has essentially been withdrawn because the lines are set to close once the last set of deliveries to the US Navy are completed in 2026-27.

 

[Anant]

Thank you US, we never asked for F35 and we have our own AMCA which is 5.5th gen fighter unlike F35 which flew in 2006.

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

 

[Anant]

Can we not use the triple/quadruple pylon rails on all our existing frontline combat aircraft to make them more potent?

Could be a factor of wing loading. Even if you have a hardpoint on a wing, said hardpoint needs to be able to hold the necessary weight. That said, I won't be surprised in the slightest if we do see something of the sort on the Tejas Mk 2, AMCA, and TEDBF.

 

[sanket]

The F-18 has essentially been withdrawn because the lines are set to close once the last set of deliveries to the US Navy are completed in 2026-27.

Ha Ha Ha oh Then why Contender of MRFA like Euro-Fighter ,Su-35 are Bidding ,again after going production Line idle for Su-30 too Bharat is ordering additional Su-30 MKI Nice Logic from U

 

[sanket]

AMCA also doesn't exist. The 5.5th generation claim had not been substantiated either.

The correct statement would be "We have our own jewel in the crown in the form of the AMCA. This will be our first fifth generation fighter, and will make India the sixth nation globally to develop such a fighter."

which are other 5 nations ...................??? & from whom u want 5.5 Gen Certificate ..................???? second does F-21 Exist ..............??? Not Even prototype of F-21 have been Built by LM For Evaluation in MRFA

 

[Akshat]

I mean the Rafale first flew in 1986, the Su-30 in 1989, the F16 may have been from the previous decade but the platform age is similar for all of them and kind of irrelevant in the face of what the modern upgrades are. If you want to make other criticisms of the F16, have at it, but fourth gen jets are still extremely numerous and will be in service for decades to come and this is among the most modernized upgraded ones in the F21 variant, akin to the Rafale F4 on upgrades, and then it's a matter of considering cost vs capabilities etc.

Here are a few criticisms of F16 from my end.

1. They failed the trials in MMRCA. So they are surely inferior and don’t meet the requirements of IA.

2. We are being offered F21. It is quite similar to F16 but still has some structural and electronics upgrades. That plane hasn’t been flown yet. Or even started manufacturing. So we don’t know what the performance will exactly be like. Even if selected, we will be paying for the entire development process, which is sure to run into billions at least. And that is for an uncertain end product.

3. F21 will probably take the longest to get delivered among all the MRFA contenders. Considering that the primary argument in favor of MRFA is its quick delivery, F21 is the worst possible choice.

4. Even cost wise F21 will surely surpass Rafale. Taiwan got them for 120 million usd 5 years back. The hey already have F16 and don’t need any training, and the amount of infra required is also quite small. There were no weapons either in that package. No offsets too. So include all that, and cost will go far above what Dassault is offering to its clients right now.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

US want to win MRFA by offering Vintage Fighter jet, Look like Naval Tender US might b convince F-18 no more going to win , does US have withdrawn from MRFA ..................??? no mention of that Jet in Article .

F16 Blk72 is 10 times more potent and still deadlier than Tejas MK1A jets....