Lockheed Martin is firm on moving its F-16 fighter jet production line to India despite growing international orders for the F-16V, the latest version of its venerable military aircraft.
At the Dubai Air show last week, the UAE announced an order to upgrade 80 F-16 jets in a US$1.6 billion deal. In September, the US State Department approved the sale of 19 new F-16V models to Bahrain besides upgrading its existing fleet of 20 F-16C/D Block 40s to the F-16V standard. In addition, the Hellenic Air Force has received US approval to upgrade some 120 F-16 planes to the ‘V’ standard valued at $2.4 billion.
Lockheed could be sitting on over 500 orders for new F-16Vs and upgrades of existing F-16 C/D jets to the ‘V’ version. Following a $3.8 B contract with Bahrain signed in October, future potential contracts include the UAE, Greece and one with the USAF to upgrade some 75 F-16 C/D aircraft in US inventory.
Speaking exclusively during the Dubai Air show, Randall Howard, who heads Lockheed Martin’s F-16 business development said, “If India signs up to buy 200 single engine fighter jets as projected, we will certainly set up a plant in India in partnership with the TATA Group which then will become the global production hub for the F-16. This plant will not only cater to the Indian order but also to international orders for new aircraft and parts for existing F-16s.”
This assertion opens up a huge business opportunity for the Lockheed Martin-TATA alliance which is pitching for the Indian Air Force’s 200 single-engine fighter jet requirement.
Related Posts :
DBM Terbitkan SARO untuk Akuisisi Helikopter Bell 412
Kali Ini KRI John Lie 358 Merilis Dokumentasi Penembakan Rudal SSM Saat Latgab 2023
Pasukan Marinir Mendarat dan Kuasai Banongan Menutup Latgab 2023
AS dan Australia Sepakat untuk Bersama-sama Memproduksi Peluru Kendali
Pengiriman 12 UAV Anka Akan Dilakukan 32 Bulan Setelah Kontrak Efektif