India’s Chennai-based Ashok Leyland Defense Systems has entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin to develop and produce military vehicles for the Indian market. Lockheed Martin's High Mobility Vehicle or Common Vehicle Next Generation (CVNG) will provide the base platform for this development effort, although there could be “numerous additional...
India looks to European and American Companies for a Light Fighter to Replace MiG 21
Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar announced that, in addition to the Rafale, India could buy a second foreign fighter, in the lightweight category, to replace several MiG-21 squadrons that will retire this decade. Lockheed Martin’s F-16IN Super Hornet, Swedish company Saab’s Gripen NG, the Russian Yak-13, may be contenders for the...
India Withdraws Tax and Dutry Exemptions for State-Owned Defense Companies
In a move to encourage foreign defense manufacturing in India, the government has withdrawn the preferential customs and excise duty exemptions that were applicable to products manufactured by the state-owned Ordnance Factories Board and other defense public sector undertakings. This has been done to level the playing field and neutralize...
Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit India in June
During U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's two-day visit to India in early June, he will sign a 10-year Indo-U.S. Defense Framework Agreement, and focus on major military deals. “We are looking to do more in terms of (military) exercises and joint training and interoperability with our Indian counterparts,” U.S. Ambassador...
Lockheed Makes Tail for Transport Aircraft in India
Phil Shaw, chief executive of Lockheed Martin India told Defenseworld.net that tail sections of C-130 aircraft for Lockheed Martin’s global customers are being made in India at the joint venture facility they have with Tata Advanced Systems in Hyderabad. He further commented that if international companies treated their 100% owned...
India’s $525 Million Spike Missile Deal
India will buy anti-tank guided missiles from Israel, rejecting a rival bid from the U.S. for its Javelin missiles. Defense Ministry sources stated that Modi’s government has placed orders for 8,356 Spike missiles and 321 launchers from Israel in a deal worth 32 billion rupees ($525 million). The Javelin is...