Lockheed Martin Plans High-Level Briefing of F-35 Jets to IAF and MoD, Final Assembly in India Possible if Substantial Number Ordered

Despite recent statements from senior Indian officials dismissing the possibility of an active F-35 offer, US aerospace major Lockheed Martin is reportedly arranging a high-level presentation of its F-35 fighter jet for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Information attributed to a Lockheed Martin India official indicates that senior executives from the company's US headquarters are expected to travel to India for the briefing, with scheduling currently underway.

This development contrasts with earlier comments from India's Air Chief Marshal and Defence Secretary, who had downplayed suggestions of any F-35 proposal, including reports of an informal offer allegedly made during a past meeting between former US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As previously reported, Lockheed Martin has shown reluctance to offer the F-35 in India's ongoing Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement process. Industry observers suggest this reluctance stems from the MRFA tender's anticipated requirements for significant Transfer of Technology (ToT) and the establishment of a local production line within India.

Instead, the company is expected to favour a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement. An FMS deal is a direct government-to-government transaction managed by the US Department of Defence, often streamlining the procurement process but potentially offering less scope for technology transfer compared to open tenders like the MRFA.

However, the possibility of local manufacturing in India might resurface if the potential order is sufficiently large. Sources indicate that if India commits to acquiring a substantial number of jets, possibly around 110 units, Lockheed Martin could reconsider its stance on local production.

An order of this magnitude would place the IAF among the largest international operators of the F-35, comparable to nations like Japan (which plans to acquire 147 F-35s), Australia (100), and Italy (115). Such a large commitment could persuade Lockheed Martin to explore setting up a Final Assembly and Check-out (FACO) facility in India.

Similar FACO facilities, which handle the final stages of aircraft assembly and testing, currently operate in Italy and Japan through partnerships with local industry.

Responding to queries about establishing Indian production for an order exceeding 100 aircraft, a Lockheed Martin official acknowledged the possibility, albeit cautiously.

"It will depend on how many units India plans to procure," the official reportedly stated. "If India insists and the numbers justify it, Lockheed Martin might consider setting up a FACO facility here, like those in Japan and Italy."

Nevertheless, establishing such a facility in India would likely depend on more than just numbers. The official's comments imply that a firm commitment from India, coupled with the deal aligning with broader US strategic objectives and defence relationship priorities, would be necessary before Lockheed Martin invests in an Indian FACO.

The planned briefing represents an initial step, with extensive negotiations likely required before any potential F-35 acquisition or local assembly agreement is reached.

 

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[Mc Addy]

Order 500 , what's the problem ?? Buy 100 off shelf, with weapons package now , get up to date now . In Armament matters, latest is best. F35 is great for Airforce, Navy and why not make a special branch in Army Aviation so they can use this VTOL aircrafts without going thru chain of command with Air force and protect ground forces as need be . Please somone needs a rethink, we need a seperate Marine amphibious setup also that can attack land from water, a bridge between all armed forces , drawing from all three services with Amphibious real time equipment where this F35 fits, so do Harrier jets , we can get them too from UK , the whole assembly line ,as they may be outdated but sure can survive and operate even after enemy missiles damage to runways due to VTOL capabilities . Specialized troops like Marines do work of surprises that skewes the thinking of enemy. Colonial style matters with heavy equipment is a dead idea as is airforce atleast in thoughts , even Russia can't take up drone barrage as far as 1000 km from front lines and has lost huge manpower and super costly air war equipment. Airforce needs to either be streamlined or dissolved all together as it is in no synergy or sync with the other forces except for lip service, can't do much to help others or be on time like longewala where they spent a night out and left Army to slug it out with 60 Pakistani tanks, so some new integrated military command needs to made minus airforce , means dissolve Airforce .

 

[Ammoman]

Who cares about final assembly?

 

[Sachinized]

Order 500 , what's the problem ?? Buy 100 off shelf, with weapons package now , get up to date now . In Armament matters, latest is best. F35 is great for Airforce, Navy and why not make a special branch in Army Aviation so they can use this VTOL aircrafts without going thru chain of command with Air force and protect ground forces as need be . Please somone needs a rethink, we need a seperate Marine amphibious setup also that can attack land from water, a bridge between all armed forces , drawing from all three services with Amphibious real time equipment where this F35 fits, so do Harrier jets , we can get them too from UK , the whole assembly line ,as they may be outdated but sure can survive and operate even after enemy missiles damage to runways due to VTOL capabilities . Specialized troops like Marines do work of surprises that skewes the thinking of enemy. Colonial style matters with heavy equipment is a dead idea as is airforce atleast in thoughts , even Russia can't take up drone barrage as far as 1000 km from front lines and has lost huge manpower and super costly air war equipment. Airforce needs to either be streamlined or dissolved all together as it is in no synergy or sync with the other forces except for lip service, can't do much to help others or be on time like longewala where they spent a night out and left Army to slug it out with 60 Pakistani tanks, so some new integrated military command needs to made minus airforce , means dissolve Airforce .

Whr is the money for 500?

 

[Monil Patel]

They know we need f35 and it's true we need a fifth gen fighter and su57 don't even have a engine if they provide india some custom f35 than we should seriously consider it

 

[R. Singh]

IF USA offer India specific F-35A,F-35B without carrot and stick and free of restriction we must buy and make F-35 under MRFA !

 

[ajaysdate]

Seriously?? Why would anyone get into spending billions and comit to huge infra for "obsolete" and "broken at the requirements level," F35? (Elon Musk). He has pushed US military to focus on drones and unmanned technologies instead of manned fighter jets.

 

[Mc Addy]

Whr is the money for 500?

Seems we have 600 billion USD from Russian oil sale to Europe so there is money.

 

[Mc Addy]

Whr is the money for 500?

India's forex reserves rise to 658.8 bln USD
This is 4 days back as per Googly ball

 

[s James]

IF USA offer India specific F-35A,F-35B without carrot and stick and free of restriction we must buy and make F-35 under MRFA !

MRFA,calls for TOT which USA will not Align sure

 

[Mc Addy]

Seriously?? Why would anyone get into spending billions and comit to huge infra for "obsolete" and "broken at the requirements level," F35? (Elon Musk). He has pushed US military to focus on drones and unmanned technologies instead of manned fighter jets.

Seems we need stealth and VTOL or STOL like gripen for a second strike capabilities or carrier based action , so F35 that can land anywhere and can be some roadblock to Chinese and Pakistani stealth .Maybe other uses may there but it sure is doing job with Israel now .

 

[sanket]

Wow, first, IAF should show interest in F-35. Does this fighter jet even fit IAF requirements and pass field trials and evaluation? Already, Stryker and Javelin failed in Indian conditions. Western aero-engines lose 8 to 10% thrust in local conditions.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Along with FACO, ask for full MRO, desi weapons integration and mid life upgrade rights. Do not import costly 4th gen jets.

 

[Preet]

Honestly, I personally don't want the F35 to come to India, as I know the long-term repercussions of operating a US jet.

But on the other hand, I think India should act prudently in this scenario and do this: Stop this local assembly with TOT rant.

Go for another 36 base Rafales (without weapons, only get indigenous weapon integration) + 54 F35 (this is the cost of our delay in AMCA funding).

So instead of 114 jets, we buy 90 jets. The cost of 24 jets saved directly goes for F35 operational costs in future.

Benefit: the 54 F35 will have a mental impact on our enemy, far more than what can be achieved with even 114 Su57. No one would at least deny this. China and Pakistan wouldn't dare do any BS knowing F35s are there. We would get a 10-year cushion for AMCA.

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

Please buy something. AMCA is 10 years away and war might just be around the corner. Buy Su-57 or F-35, but increase squadrons. Without them, how is IAF supposed to fight enemies?

 

[Abs29]

Wow, first, IAF should show interest in F-35. Does this fighter jet even fit IAF requirements and pass field trials and evaluation? Already, Stryker and Javelin failed in Indian conditions. Western aero-engines lose 8 to 10% thrust in local conditions.

All engines lose thrust in the hot Indian climate, including Russian engines that are relatively far less efficient and less durable with a lower service life compared to Western aero engines.

 

[Abs29]

Along with FACO, ask for full MRO, desi weapons integration and mid life upgrade rights. Do not import costly 4th gen jets.

Nope, not going to happen. Might as well cancel the farcical negotiations if that's the precondition. While integration of some precision guided munitions like SAAW and laser guided munitions like Sudarshan LGB could be permitted, you can forget about Astra AAM integration as that would require access to source code. The US will never share it, no matter what.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

The best option is for India to make Rafale in India with Indian avionics and weapons. IAF is already operating Rafale and IN is going to purchase it. It will reduce logistics and spare costs and MRO is already in India. But for 5th gen jet, due to delaying AMCA, you can go for 2-3 squadrons of F35 extra to pamper US. GOI has no option because we have delayed MRFA by 20 years. AMCA will not become reality before 2040. If India did all these things in correct time, then the present condition would not arise.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Nope, not going to happen. Might as well cancel the farcical negotiations if that's the precondition. While integration of some precision guided munitions like SAAW and laser guided munitions like Sudarshan LGB could be permitted, you can forget about Astra AAM integration as that would require access to source code. The US will never share it, no matter what.

Earlier people believed that since we purchased S400, F35s won't be offered. Try and negotiate.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

It is impossible for India to strategically align with the US's interests. India values its own strategic autonomy, free from foreign influence. If India has to purchase F-35s, then it would be in limited numbers, like 36, for the China front. We all knew, the US is no friend of India. The US sees us as a short-term friend, just because of China.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

Honestly, I personally don't want the F35 to come to India, as I know the long-term repercussions of operating a US jet.

I doubt that the IAF logo will be seen on the F-35 without giving up the S-400.

 

[Preet]

I doubt that the IAF logo will be seen on the F-35 without giving up the S-400.

India isn't in NATO, nor do we operate Link 16 of NATO. We can always get an Israeli variant with Israeli avionics.

 

[Ammoman]

India's forex reserves rise to 658.8 bln USD
This is 4 days back as per Googly ball

That is the foreign reserve, not money the government has. Do you know the difference?

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India isn't in NATO, nor do we operate Link 16 of NATO. We can always get an Israeli variant with Israeli avionics.

It is not about Link 16, or being a NATO member! The US does not want the S-400 radar to scan the F-35's stealth signature.

The idea that "we can always get an Israeli variant with Israeli avionics" is an act of wishful thinking. Only the Israeli government can say that. It is not up to us to say or decide this.

 

[Preet]

It is not about Link 16, or being a NATO member! The US does not want the S-400 radar to scan the F-35's stealth signature.

The idea that "we can always get an Israeli variant with Israeli avionics" is an act of wishful thinking. Only the Israeli government can say that. It is not up to us to say or decide this.

You or I sitting here know nothing about what is what. Poland's F35s operate in the areas of S400 presence. Similarly, Finland is getting F35s, they share a border with Russia. Similarly, if there was such a case, F35s would not be sitting parallel to Su57s in Bangalore. So despite all your apprehensions (which I have as well), I know there are things beyond you and me. Why would Trump even mention selling them if they do not want to?

And what I said of Israel, that is only logical, and not even close to wishful thinking, I do not know why you would even think that.