Maryland-based Lockheed Martin announced that it can jointly manufacture its F-16 Block 70 fighter jets with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, India. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show 2017 and it will provide India the opportunity to produce, operate and export F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the newest and most advanced version of the combat-proven multi-role fighter.
India proposes to acquire 150 new warplanes for $12 billion, and Lockheed and Tata confirmed to CNNMoney that F-16 production in India will move forward only if Lockheed wins the order.
Highlights of the Deal:
- Lockheed says, “F-16 production in India supports thousands of Lockheed Martin and F-16 supplier jobs in the U.S.”
- This partnership supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative
- India stands to become the manufacturing and export base for all F-16s worldwide: 26 countries where 3,200 F-16s are currently flown
CNNMoney quotes a Tata spokesman who said that Lockheed and Tata are also in talks to make F-16 components in India if the air force deal doesn’t materialize.
