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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[Preet]

Whatever we purchase should benefit us and we should not be prone to the USA's whims and dictates later. Their platform is technically the best 5G platform available to us right now. If they agree to our terms and conditions, only then should we procure it. Otherwise, we can either wait for AMCA or go with a limited number of Su-57s.

While the Su-57 may not be the best 5th gen jet available, it is definitely better than the 4th gen jets that we are trying to procure under MRCA.

Even though I completely agree with you, but right now, India needs the US way too much, mostly due to GE 404 & 414 engines, and Indian authorities are in no mood to switch to Russian alternatives for them.

I see a limited F35 order far more likely than an Su57 order, even though technically I feel India should get 114 Su57 assembly line in India, and make a JV 120kn engine with Russia for AMCA, but India would eventually go with the US this time.

 

[P.K Senapati]

F35 with Final Assembly and Check Out facility in India is a good proposal. But it also requires a commitment for minimum 110 units.
Airforce and Government of India Ministry of Defence should think before taking a decision.
We need some stealth fighters till AMCA becomes available.
Now, to go with Russian Su57 or US F35, which one is in our best interest?
My suggestion: go with Su57 along with AL51 engine and hypersonic missile package.

 

[Surfer]

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.

Only 36 is irrelevant at this number. This is just to scare Pakistan, but now they are going to make J-35 locally and will make KAAN in the future. We need at least 36 5th gen jets. We will have Tejas MK2s to perform Rafale’s role.

 

[Surfer]

It looks like the US is just eager to sell something to India.

F21.

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

Don't fall for USA gimmicks, as now there are cancellations from other Western countries, they want to dump F35A in India; be careful.

 

[Diganta Ghosh]

F21.

I don't think investing in a foreign fighter program, even if Rafale, is the right thing now. If the F-35 offer comes now, 3 squadrons can severely increase the capability to deter invasions.

 

[Imaxxx]

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 .

The Southern Command is the ideal candidate to convert to a Marine force

 

[Surfer]

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.

Poland is going to deploy F-35s in two bases, Swidwin and Lask. Both are more than 425 km from Kaliningrad. The S-400’s maximum engagement range is 400 km. Similarly, Rovaniemi Airbase in Finland, where they have F-35s, is more than 400 km from the closest point in Russia. Also, in airshows, they deploy Luneburg lens radar reflectors to intentionally increase the RCS and to conceal their true radar signature.

 

[Preet]

Poland is going to deploy F-35s in two bases, Swidwin and Lask. Both are more than 425 km from Kaliningrad. The S-400’s maximum engagement range is 400 km. Similarly, Rovaniemi Airbase in Finland, where they have F-35s, is more than 400 km from the closest point in Russia. Also, in airshows, they deploy Luneburg lens radar reflectors to intentionally increase the RCS and to conceal their true radar signature.

Detection range matters. S400 can detect well up to 600km and engage at 400kms. S400 can't be operated with F35 was a pressure tactic on Turkey as its NATO ally and has Link16 on its aircrafts. But India has no such issue. India has its own data links, which is a software thing. S400 is no such issue alone, there are many other factors though. Almost daily, F35s fly over the South China Sea, F22s fly over Alaska, don't you think China and Russia have seen them already? It's just that, when you are in a plane you can't have a lock on a stealth jet, because they can't be detected in X-Band. At higher bandwidths they can be detected, but can't be engaged. If S400 was an issue, F35s wouldn't be coming to the last two airshows, and wouldn't have been offered by Trump. There are other logistics issues though, that's another debate!

 

[Muthu.Kumar]

Just a FACO ? Even after such a mammoth order of 110 jets ?

HELL NO. THERE SHOULD BE A TOT OF CRUCIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THAT SIZE OF AN ORDER.

Because buck doesn't stop with just that order. There're additional costs such as operational cost, maintenance cost, upgrade cost for the next 10-15 years, which would cost India fare and square.

India can't and shouldn't throw such a BIG BIG buck for such peanut as FACO.

 

[Enforcer]

Main thing is we have no experience operating 5th gen aircrafts and how they are suppose to work. F-35 will bring lot of knowledge, improvement to our airbase infrastructure and system integration which we will need for AMCA anyways. Either spend now or spend later when Amca is adopted.

F-35 will give lots of insight and experience that can be passed onto AMCA while designing it.

F-35 is important for us to stay in the race.

 

[Ammoman]

Why don't you elaborate this matter of forex vs what's govts holding .

The foreign exchange reserves of India are holdings of cash, bank deposits, bonds, Gold and other financial assets denominated in currencies other than India's national currency, the Indian rupee. The foreign-exchange reserves are managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the Indian government, and the main component is foreign currency assets.

Foreign-exchange reserves act as the first line of defense for India in case of economic slowdown, but acquisition of reserves has its own costs. Foreign exchange reserves facilitate external trade and payment and promote orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India.

India's total foreign exchange (forex) reserves stand at around US$704.89 billion on 27 September 2024, with the foreign currency assets (FCA) component at around US$616 billion, gold reserves at around US$65.7 billion, special drawing rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of around US$18.547 billion and around US$4.3 billion reserve position in the IMF, as per the RBI's weekly statistical supplement published on 08 September 2023.

The RBI is independent of the government of the day. The reserve is good for 11 months of imports, that have to be paid in other currencies other than the Rupee.

 

[Renu Sri]

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.

As indicated earlier, they may go for 8 to 12 fighter planes for special operations and also to familiarise themselves with the world's best 5th gen. When operated in such a low number, it will not affect us strategically (even if there is a kill switch).