Lockheed Martin Pledges to Manufacture up to 48 F-21 Jets Annually in India, Offers to Fill IAF's Depleting Squadrons Quickly

Lockheed Martin, the world's leading defence contractor, is stepping up its efforts to secure a deal with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its advanced F-16 variant, known in India as the F-21 or F-16 Dash V.

In a significant proposal, the company has committed to establishing a production line in India capable of manufacturing three to four F-21 jets per month if India chooses this fighter.

This production promise holds particular appeal for the IAF, which is currently facing a shortfall in its fighter squadrons.

With only 29-30 operational squadrons compared to the required 42, the IAF is actively seeking ways to bolster its combat air power to effectively secure its borders with both Pakistan and China.

Lockheed Martin's proposal could enable India to add 36 to 48 new aircraft to its fleet annually, significantly addressing this pressing need.

The F-21, specifically tailored for the IAF, offers a range of advanced technologies to enhance India's defence capabilities.

It boasts significant upgrades over the traditional F-16, including an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, and a modernized cockpit with displays similar to those found in fifth-generation fighters.

Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is pitching the F-21 as part of a broader industrial cooperation plan. This includes not just the aircraft itself, but also technology transfer, local manufacturing, and integration into the global F-16 supply chain.

This approach aligns with India's "Make in India" initiative and its ambition to become self-reliant in defence production.

By offering a combination of advanced technology, rapid production capabilities, and industrial cooperation, Lockheed Martin is presenting a compelling case for the F-21 to the IAF.

The potential to quickly address the IAF's fighter squadron shortfall, while also boosting India's domestic aerospace industry, makes this proposal a significant development in India's pursuit of modernizing its air power.

 

[R. Singh]

Lockheed Martin come with F-35 not F-21 to India and also give TOT of F-36 (-5th gen) fighter jet !

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Lockeed Martin should have tied up with Adani then I think our current govt will accept this proposal...Current govt is very much controlled by Adani...especially our so called nationalist leader....

 

[sanket]

LM should first make a prototype for evaluation, instead of making a video. Second, does India want to buy a 4th-gen design for the next 4 to 5 decades? Why not buy Mirage-2000 and integrate a GaN-based AESA radar with Meteor missiles if this is what the US wants to sell to India under MRFA? India wants the latest design developed fighter jet, unlike the US, which wants to sell an outdated design developed fighter jet that will have a life of 4 to 5 decades. I again say Mirage-2000, MIG-29 & F-16 are of the same era and decade in which they were developed, but France & Russia have offered the latest generation fighter jets while the US has offered a vintage fighter jet with some cosmetic upgrades. India wants a twin-engine with a good combat radius, medium-category fighter jet, while the US wants to dump an outdated vintage fighter jet to get its whole value before going for scrap. The US can sell this fighter jet to third-world countries. Just by making 3 to 4 fighter jets per month doesn't mean it will be selected. First, it has to meet the parameters under MRFA.

 

[Anant]

Lockeed Martin should have tied up with Adani then I think our current govt will accept this proposal...Current govt is very much controlled by Adani...especially our so called nationalist leader....

And what makes you think the government is controlled by Adani?

See, capitalists have got a larger say, yes. Have there been some things that warrant questions? Yes. However, this isn't some sort of nonsensical government capture like you are claiming it to be.

 

[Leo red]

What a joke lockheed martin uses GE engine for f16 which is in already huge shortage. So how they can deliver it. Even south korean are also frustrated and same with other countries.

 

[Akshay Bisht]

India should start talks regarding 5th-gen fighters from its own side once the Trump government kicks in. Since Rafale assembly lines are full, by the time they open for India, we might have Tejas Mk2, so buying Rafale in huge numbers is not worth it. Any other contender in the MRFA is also not worth it. Since Pakistan is going to have 5th-gen Chinese fighters in the next 5 years, we need 5th-gen ASAP. I know we are developing AMCA, but we can't wait for 2032-2035. And we cannot say that once AMCA is developed, the USA will not sabotage the F414 engines.

 

[Puneet]

LM should first make a prototype for evaluation, instead of making a video. Second, does India want to buy a 4th-gen design for the next 4 to 5 decades? Why not buy Mirage-2000 and integrate a GaN-based AESA radar with Meteor missiles if this is what the US wants to sell to India under MRFA? India wants the latest design developed fighter jet, unlike the US, which wants to sell an outdated design developed fighter jet that will have a life of 4 to 5 decades. I again say Mirage-2000, MIG-29 & F-16 are of the same era and decade in which they were developed, but France & Russia have offered the latest generation fighter jets while the US has offered a vintage fighter jet with some cosmetic upgrades. India wants a twin-engine with a good combat radius, medium-category fighter jet, while the US wants to dump an outdated vintage fighter jet to get its whole value before going for scrap. The US can sell this fighter jet to third-world countries. Just by making 3 to 4 fighter jets per month doesn't mean it will be selected. First, it has to meet the parameters under MRFA.

Well, I don't know how you evaluate the latest and old generations. The F-16 first flew in 1976 and the Rafale in 1986, so a 1976 fighter is legacy and 1986 is the latest?

The F-16V is a Block 72 fighter, which is as good as anything. It's a proven fighter with a brilliant AN/APG-83 radar with a mad detection range of 350 km.

So let's be clear that if we want a 4.5-gen fighter and the F-16 can assure a better delivery rate, then it can be chosen. Also, TATA will get all the expertise in fighter aircraft.

Having said that, does India want a 4.5-gen fighter, be it Rafale or Typhoon or F-16V?

I say a BIG NO! India must go for 114 Su-57, or, if you can get a deal for, say, 70-80 F-16V and 36-54 F-35, go ahead! That would fill the squadron gap, and the F-35 can assure that China and Pakistan don't dare touch us until our own AMCA comes up. No matter how many J-20s China makes, they can't match the capability of the F-35. So no matter what India does, they must get some 5th-gen, and 36-54 F-35s give you as good a deterrence as 114 Su-57s.

 

[Enforcer]

I prefer a Production line for F35 instead. Make that happen Lockheed Martin.