Lockheed Martin, a New York Stock Exchange-listed firm, and Tier-I suppliers of its F-16 fighter, met with about 70 Indian micro, small and medium enterprises on Tuesday to gauge the potential for making components for the aircraft in India.
“The F-16 provides unmatched opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and suppliers throughout India, to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin, Tata, and other U.S. and global industry leaders,” said Vivek Lall, vice-president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Exclusive F-16 production integrates Indian industry into a $165-billion fighter aircraft sustainment market,” Sukaran Singh, CEO & MD, Tata Advanced Systems, Lockheed’s Indian partner, said.
The two companies held a supplier conference to provide a platform that would allow Indian players in the industry explore opportunities and share knowledge with other global suppliers in the F-16 fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem, according to a joint statement. The potential F-16 India Project, as a single source globally, would help India to build new capabilities in the defence manufacturing sector.
Selection process
“We also look forward to participating in the selection process for the Fighter Programme of the Indian Air Force,” Mr. Singh said. Current F-16 industry partners include GE, Terma, Honeywell, Fokker, Israeli Aerospace Industries, Elbit, UTC, Terma, Eaton, Moog, Parker, and other global defence industry leaders.
Lockheed Martin recently announced it would partner with Tata Advanced Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, to commence production of F-16 wings in India. It has also proposed a broader F-16 partnership with India — to produce F-16s exclusively in India for the IAF and export customers.
The U.S.-based company and Tata Advanced Systems announced last year that the two companies intended to join hands to produce the F-16 Block 70 in India if the aircraft was selected by the Indian Air Force.
