India's Tata Group Teams Up With Lockheed Martin To Make Latest F-16s

NEW DELHI, June 20 (Bernama) -- India's Tata Group and American defence and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin, have signed an agreement to produce F-16 fighter aircraft in India, hoping to grab potential big Indian Air Force (IAF) contracts. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), the Indian conglomerate's unit involved in military business, and Lockheed will make the latest F-16 Block 70 planes as India looks to modernise and replenish its air force. They will be competing with other manufacturers to grab future multi-billion-dollar Indian military aircraft deals, Tata and Lockheed said in a joint statement yesterday at the Paris Airshow. "This unprecedented F-16 production partnership between the world's largest defence contractor and India's premier industrial house provides India the opportunity to produce, operate and export F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the newest and most advanced version of the world's most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter," they said. The statement said the joint venture would also support an Indian government initiative to develop domestic defence manufacturing capacity. "Our partnership significantly strengthens the F-16 'Make in India' offer, creates and maintains numerous new job opportunities in India and the US," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. The F-16 agreement "builds on the already established joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Tata and underscores the relationship and commitment between the two companies," Tata Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said. India may order 200 to 300 single-engine combat jets to replace old aircraft and to grow its air power against Pakistan and China, according to earlier published media reports. -- BERNAMA