Imported Single Engine Fighter Jet Contest

[WolfPack86]

200 Combat Jets: Will F-16 / Gripen and FGFA go Hand-in-Hand?

India’s offer to buy 200 foreign combat jets if they are ‘Made-in-India’ has hit headlines. This announcement after concluding the deal for importing 36 x Rafale fighter jets in flyaway condition ex France has caused much excitement for the single-engine, medium fighters to be built here. This deal could be anything from US$13 billion to US$15 billion. And, the actual requirement may go up since making up the IAF’s shortfall through Make-in-India would take considerable number of years that could see more existing holdings of IAF phased out.

Presently the IAF is down to 32 operational squadrons against the 45 required. Though IAF has ordered 140 of the indigenous single-engine fighter Tejas, only two have been have been delivered to-date to IAF and there are multiple issues that still need to be overcome.As per media reports, America’s Lockheed Martin has responded in the affirmative to an IAF letter to global aerospace vendors, soliciting interest in building a single-engine, medium fighter aircraft in India, with full transfer of technology (ToT). Sweden’s Saab has also said it is ready to not only produce its frontline Gripen fighter in India, but help build a local aviation industry base. Lockheed Martin and Saab have been actively marketing the F-16 Block 70 and the Gripen E respectively, both of which are single-engine. Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F and Eurofighter of the European consortium appear to be out of the race since these are twin-engine fighters, not single engine.

By all accounts, Lockheed Martin has also offered to close down its only F-16 production line from the US to India. This implies that once the production line comes to India, all future F-16s and large share of the spare parts and sub-systems for every F-16 flying across the globe would come from India; India will then be the global hub for F-16s. Lockheed Martin says, “Our offer is not for just building a hundred F-16s in India; or even another hundred F-16s for the export market. The real value would come from the tens of thousands of spare parts, components, sub-systems and systems that would sustain the 3,200-plus F-16s still flying in the US, and in 24 other countries”, adding, “Transferring the line to India will make the F-16 even cheaper. And that will bring in even more export orders.”

Presently, Lockheed Martin is left to deliver only 15 x F-16s of the 4,588 x F-16s ordered over the years albeit Bahrain and some West Asian countries have been evincing interest in this fighter aircraft. The company now wants to build the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the US. But significantly, the US Air Force plans to operate its late-model F-16s (Block 40 and Block 50 versions) for another 30 years, till 2045. Transferring the production line to India will imply the F-16s of USAF too will be supplied spares and replacement assemblies from India. The F-16 Block 70 reportedly flies faster, climbs quicker and carries more armament than most fighters in its class. It has 1,500 kilometres comparable to the much bigger Rafale, and with heavier air-to-ground weaponry for strike missions, the radius of action is still 700 kilometres.

But Saab too has offered a rival production line for its Gripen aircraft. Jan Widerström, Chairman and Managing Director, Saab India Technologies says, “We are very experienced in transfer of technology – our way of working involves extensive cooperation with our partners to establish a complete ecosystem, not just an assembly line.” It appears that Lockheed Martin and Saab will be the two contestants in the mega single-engine fighter deal for the IAF. The IAF of course can be expected to go for which of the two fighter jets meets its requirements best.

At the same time, India needs to speed up development of the FGFA jointly with Russia. In February, India and Russia had revived talks on the delayed FGFA project after the defence minister approved the deal. The fifth-generation fighter jet will be on par with the capabilities of Russia’s PAK-FA T-50 aircraft, a fifth-generation fighter, but since the jet will be designed over the next few years, it is likely to exceed in some specifics – better than Russia’s PAK-FA T-50.

According to Sergi Chemezov, CEO of Russia’s Rostech State Corporation “The agreement has been completed on our end; we are ready to sign it. It is now down to the Indian side. There are some formalities to figure out, but I think it will be signed by the end of this year”. He added, “The FGFA project will produce a state of the art fighter jet, and it will be the result of the work on Russia’s most modern technology done by both Russian and Indian engineers. As Fifth Generation, it means fifth generation speed, ballistics and military equipment, avionics and stealth capabilities among other qualities.”

India and Russia have already inked military deals worth Rs 60,000 crore during the BRICS summit held in Goa. Now, Russia is hoping to get another order on FGFA by end of the current year. Under the new offer, India will need to contribute US$3.7 billion instead of US$6 billion towards technological know-how and some three prototypes of the fighters.

During the recent India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation co-chaired by Defence Minister Mohan Parrikar and Russian Defence Minister Sergie Shoigu the FGFA project and upgrades of SU-31 aircraft in service with the IAF were discussed. Development of the single-engine, medium fighter whether F-16 Block 70 or Gripen E will apparently come up faster in the county, but simultaneously India must hasten development of the FGFA considering the years it would take to field these aircraft coupled with the mounting China-Pakistan threat.

Speed will definitely be required considering the China-Pakistan dual threat which appears to be enlarging, China’s strategic pairing with Pakistan to keep India constrained within South Asia, PLA’s strategic lodgement in Gilgit-Baltistan, the CPEC, and Chinese designs on the IOR.

China recently showcased two of its advanced J-20 stealth fighters in a fly-over at an air show in Zhuhai, Guangdong province of China. The J-20 is a long-range radar-evading fighter jet equipped with air-to-air missiles, resembling Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor. China has reportedly built six prototypes of this FGFA. China is also developing the J-31 which is supposed to sequel American F-35 Lightning II. Only US, Russia and China presently have FGFA.
http://www.defencenews.in/article.aspx?id=29066

 

[WolfPack86]

Presently, Lockheed Martin is left to deliver only 15 x F-16s of the 4,588 x F-16s ordered over the years albeit Bahrain and some West Asian countries have been evincing interest in this fighter aircraft. The company now wants to build the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the US. But significantly, the US Air Force plans to operate its late-model F-16s (Block 40 and Block 50 versions) for another 30 years, till 2045. Transferring the production line to India will imply the F-16s of USAF too will be supplied spares and replacement assemblies from India. The F-16 Block 70 reportedly flies faster, climbs quicker and carries more armament than most fighters in its class. It has 1,500 kilometres comparable to the much bigger Rafale, and with heavier air-to-ground weaponry for strike missions, the radius of action is still 700 kilometres.

 

[Hari Sud]

Take it with a grain of salt what Lockheed Martin is offering to block Gripen.

The Americans companies can offer everything India wants even if the Administration blesses the deal, but the roughnecks in the US State Department and the Congress will sooner or later block high technology items export as India is not an ally.

The above is a real practical problem. It became apparent when US became reluctant to export all technology items to India including drones, magnatic aircraft launch system even the Aesa radar etc. India had to sign $15 billion deals with the much maligned Russian weapon industry.

 

[WolfPack86]

Lockheed Martin Starts Ground Work For Made In India F-16 Fighters Jets

BANGALORE: United States based aircraft-maker Lockheed Martin that had offered to move its F-16 fighter aircraft production line from the US to India, has started the ground work with the hope that India would accept its offer.
The offer comes with a condition that India buys the fighter. “We want to be prepared and that is the reason we have started the ground work,’’ Abhay Paranjape, Director, Business Development, India, Lockheed Martin told Express. “On Monday, we met representatives of 40 defense and aviation firms from across the country to discuss our offer on making F-16 in India,’’ Paranjape added.
Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin made an offer to India that it would shift its only F-16 aircraft production line to India provided, the Indian Air Force (IAF) buys the aircraft.

“We are offering to make F-16 Block 70, the most advanced aircraft in India. It is one of the most proven fighter aircraft in the world and is flown by air forces in 25 countries,’’ said Randall L Howard, who looks after F-16 Business Development.

The proposal of shifting the production line, works out for the US firm and also to Indian industries only if there are initial orders from the IAF. If the IAF buys 100 aircraft, it gives stability to the industry that will invest lot of money in various manufacturing units that support the production line, he said. “We make it in India, for India and then we make it in India and export to world. If the initial orders are not there, it may not work for the industry,’’ Randall added.
Though India has not yet responded to the offer, the top executives at Lockheed are hopeful that it will accept the offer. “The response has been positive. After we made an offer they asked us right questions. They are looking for single-engine fighter and we are offering one of the best aircraft, so we are confident that India will accept the offer,’’ said Paranjape.
“They have sent letters to a few firms, including us (about acquiring single engine aircraft),’’ he said.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/11/lockheed-martin-starts-ground-work-on.html

 

[WolfPack86]

Lockheed Martin Plans To Manufacture 30 F-16 Jets A Year In Proposed Indian Facility

Lockheed Martin has offered to manufacture over 30 aircraft a year in its proposed Indian facility, one of its most ambitious fighter aircraft production ventures outside the United States.
Lockheed executives briefing media following an Indian suppliers’ meeting in Bangalore today said that they would look at starting the ‘Make-in-India’ manufacturing project with 12 aircraft a year going up to 36 at peak. Randall L Howard, F-16 business development head and Abhay Paranjape, director, business development-India said that they interacted with over 40 Indian entities over the last couple of days who showed interest in being part of the F-16 manufacturing project.
The suppliers’ meet is being followed-up by visits to the facilities of some of the Indian entities to asses their ability to be part of the F-16 supply chain, they said.
The partnership with India is being discussed between the Indian the US government and should the deal come through as a foreign military sales (FMS) agreement, then a certain number of aircraft would be sold to India under ‘flyaway condition’, and the rest would be manufactured in India.
As to possible location of the proposed plant, Howard said nothing was considered yet but it would have to be near an air base with access to a runway.
“The cost to India would reduce with every new block of aircraft manufactured and given the competitive labor costs here, you can look at a real competitively priced plane,” said Howard adding that the made-in-India F-16 would also be exported to markets in the Middle -East, Eastern Europe and Asia.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/11/lockheed-martin-plans-to-manufacture-30.html

 

[WolfPack86]

We're not selling obsolete Fighter Jets to India with a dead shelf life: Lockheed

Aerospace and Defence major Lockheed Martin, which has offered to bring its only functional F-16 fighter jet manufacturing facility to India, says that it is not selling an aircraft with a dead shelf-life.

Reports quoting experts in the US have debated that the aircraft's current orders can only keep it running up to 2017, or 2020, at best. However, Randall L Howard, F-16 business development head, told TOI: "I understand the concerns, but we are confident of bagging orders for at least 100 aircraft (not including from India) in the next 5-7 years."

Stating that the firm had a positive conversation with Indonesia just last week, he said: "Conversations are also currently on with multiple countries in South-America, Middle East (West Asia) and Eastern Europe. We expect good business from these countries. A lot of Eastern European countries are currently using Soviet-era fighters with or without integration of western technology."

Abhay Paranjape, director, business development-India, said: "Many of our international customers are repeat customers, who keep coming back to us." Howard said that the firm has sold 4,588 F-16 aircraft to 27 countries, of which 16 of them have come back to them.

"These 16 countries together have given repeat orders 55 times saying they want more. F-16s are cheaper than most in their class, faster and can go farther than every other plane. It can also carry more firepower," Howard said.

In the first major effort after making the conditional offer to shift the manufacturing facility to India, Lockheed Martin met with 40 potential Indian suppliers in Bengaluru. "There are those who can make bits and pieces, components, sub-systems, structures and even support equipment. We are making a presentation to them," Howard said.

He added that not only will India be making for India, but also to the world. "There are 3,200 fighters that they will need to feed (components and parts) and take care of (maintenance). There is a huge business opportunity there."

On how different this offer is from facilities that operated in South Korea, Belgium, the Netherlands and Turkey, Paranjape said: "Those were licensed manufacturing, mostly assembly and they made it for their own countries. What we offer India is the exclusive production facility. There is currently no other such facility barring the one in US and when that come here, it will be only India that makes F16s."

On the constraints of transfer of technology (ToT), which US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James had raised as per reports in the US, Howard said: "We did not come to India with the offer as a individual company. We were here along with the US government. There will be a few issues, but from the nose to tail (of the aircraft) we will try to offer as much as we can in an affordable way. Obviously, not everything can be made here."
http://www.defencenews.in/article/Not-selling-fighter-with-a-dead-shelf-life-Lockheed-39098

 

[republic_roi97]

@WolfPack86 you are indeed damn serious and a big fan of F-16 :biggrin2:.

 

[WolfPack86]

@WolfPack86 you are indeed damn serious and a big fan of F-16 :biggrin2:.

Yes ,because it is best fighter in its class and cheaper when made in india and also earn great revenue while exporting F-16 to others countries. we should accept offer only if US offers full transfer technology to India.

 

[WolfPack86]

Lockheed Martin 'Lands In India To Explore Partnerships Avenues

BANGALORE: After making a bid to sell F-16s to India, a team from US aviation major Lockheed Martin arrived in Bengaluru to meet potential industrial partners, officials said on Wednesday.
Lockheed Martin's 'Make in India' F-16's (Block 70) executive team is set to conduct a meeting this week with local aerospace suppliers and tier one industry groups to discuss potential partnerships.
"We are offering the exclusive 'Make in India' opportunity to produce the F-16 Block 70, the most advanced F-16 aircraft ever offered in India, for India, and exported to the world. The F-16 is the most combat proven multi-role fighter aircraft in the world and is currently flown by air forces in 25 countries," said Randall Howard, the company's business development chief.
In October, the Indian Air Force sent a communication to global aircraft manufacturers seeking information on their single engine combat jets to replace its Russian vintage single-engine Mig-21s combat jets. In response, Lockheed offered its latest F-16 Block-70 jets.
Earlier this year, the company made an offer to India to move its only F-16 aircraft production line in Fort Worth, Texas, to India.
Speaking on the establishment of the F-16 production line in India, Howard said: "This unmatched opportunity extends well beyond assembly in India, and includes manufacturing opportunities across the entire airframe. It also extends beyond the opportunity for India's indigenous requirements."
"It would make India home to the production of all future worldwide F-16 fighters and place Indian industry in the center of the world's most extensive fighter aircraft supply base. This supply base provides support and sustainment for a global fleet of over 3,200 F-16's," Howard added.
Lockheed has already interacted with around 30 aerospace suppliers in Bengaluru but declined to name the partners until industry agreements are completed.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/11/lockheed-martin-lands-in-india-to.html

 

[tharun]

@WolfPack86 The weight of F-16 is heavier than tejas right?
How much of composites is used in building F-16?

 

[WolfPack86]

@WolfPack86 The weight of F-16 is heavier than tejas right?
How much of composites is used in building F-16?

The F-16 was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build and simpler to maintain than earlier-generation fighters. The airframe is built with about 80% aviation-grade aluminum alloys, 8% steel, 3% composites, and 1.5% titanium. The leading-edge flaps, stabilators, and ventral fins make use of bonded aluminumhoneycomb structures and graphite epoxylaminationcoatings. The number of lubrication points, fuel line connections, and replaceable modules is significantly lower than predecessors; 80% of access panels can be accessed without stands.[40] The air intake was placed so it was rearward of the nose but forward enough to minimize air flow losses and reduce aerodynamic drag.[60]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon

 

[tharun]

The F-16 was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build and simpler to maintain than earlier-generation fighters. The airframe is built with about 80% aviation-grade aluminum alloys, 8% steel, 3% composites, and 1.5% titanium. The leading-edge flaps, stabilators, and ventral fins make use of bonded aluminumhoneycomb structures and graphite epoxylaminationcoatings. The number of lubrication points, fuel line connections, and replaceable modules is significantly lower than predecessors; 80% of access panels can be accessed without stands.[40] The air intake was placed so it was rearward of the nose but forward enough to minimize air flow losses and reduce aerodynamic drag.[60]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon

If india selects F-16 can we increase composite materials ..so that we can decrease weight of it?

 

[WolfPack86]

If india selects F-16 can we increase composite materials ..so that we can decrease weight of it?

Yes, we can decrease weight of F-16

 

[republic_roi97]

Yes, we can decrease weight of F-16

Bu using more composites, is that even possible ? I mean what part will we make use of more composites ?

 

[WolfPack86]

Bu using more composites, is that even possible ? I mean what part will we make use of more composites ?

Wings can be used to decrease composite if possible. Like Japanese F-2 aircraft Japan did lot of changes in these aircraft. At same time, I am not sure how much composites can be used in F-16.

 

[AmoghaVarsha]

The legacy F16 block 70 wont work.They will have to reduce weight and upgrade engines at the least.

 

[tharun]

Atleast 20-30% in weight reduction with new engines only will be good for india

 

[WolfPack86]

Desi F-16s To Make India A Global Supply Chain Leader: Lockheed Martin

BANGALORE: Riding on the successful partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Hyderabad, American defense behemoth Lockheed Martin (LM) says it is hopeful of emulating the story if gets the opportunity to set up the F-16 Block 70 production line in India.
In an interview to Mathrubhumi, Randall L Howard, who looks after F-16 Business Development at LM, said that the lessons from the JV with TASL are inspiring.
“The JV has proven that Indian industry can manufacture airframe components for the C-130J airlifter and the S-92 helicopter. We hope to build on that success with the F-16, the world’s most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter,” Randall said.
While the current projection for a single-engine fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in excess of 100, LM says the numbers would significantly go up.
“What we have offered is a huge opportunity for India to become a key global supplier for F-16. We are looking into the future. All future exports of F16s will be from the production that we would like to set up in India,” Randall said.
He said LM would shift its only F-16 production plant (Texas) to India. “Our proposal is best and one that takes into account of IAF’s future as well. It’s a very strategic proposal that would boost India’s emerging defense supply chain, thanks to the Make in India mission,” he added.
India’s aviation talent to get immense exposure
Abhay Paranjape, Director, Business Development, LM said the F-16 Block 70 fighters would give a great exposure to India’s aerospace talent.
“I am excited about the technological leap India would make with having a production line here. The exposure gives to Indian engineers. We have truly inspiring lessons from Hyderabad (TASL-LM JV). Right now we are scanning the aviation might of cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai and Delhi. We have met with over 30 different companies whom we feel have the potential to partner with us. We are understanding their strengths. We are also in talks with HAL, DRDO, and BEL,” says Abhay.
When asked about the one key factor that could stand out if LM is selected for the current IAF requirement, Abhay said: “There are many factors and most importantly, it would be cost. The plant in India would certainly bring down the cost of F-16s. This would have a positive bearing on its global demand and again India would gain.”
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/11/desi-f-16s-to-make-india-global-supply.html

 

[Filtercoffee]

I think f16 is a great choice since there was talk to bring back the hunter as Langoor a while back as a GA platform. I am telling you all this aircraft is going to do wonders for the IAF, such a proven platform I tail you.

 

[WolfPack86]

Lockheed Martin Won't Heed Donald Trump, To Land F-16s In India

BANGALORE: President-elect of the US, Donald Trump, may have claimed that Americans are living through the “greatest jobs theft” in the history of the world, but Lockheed Martin seems to have other plans. The American aircraft-maker has started the groundwork with the hope that India would accept its offer of moving its F-16 fighter aircraft production line from the US to India. Trump believes that US companies were moving out jobs to countries such as India, China, Mexico and Singapore.
The offer comes with the rider that India buys the fighter. “We want to be prepared and that is the reason we have started the groundwork,” said Abhay Paranjape, director, Business Development, India, Lockheed Martin. “We have met representatives of 40 defence and aviation firms from across the country to discuss our offer on making F-16s in India,’’ he added.
Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin made an offer to India that it would shift its only F-16 aircraft production line to India provided the Indian Air Force (IAF) buys the aircraft. “We are offering to make F-16 Block 70, the most advanced aircraft in India. It is one of the most proven fighter aircraft in the world and is flown by air forces in 25 countries,’’ said Randall L Howard, who looks after F-16 Business Development.
If the IAF buys 100 aircraft, it gives stability to the industry that will invest a lot of money in various manufacturing units that support the production line, Howard said. “We make it in India, for India and then we make it in India and export to the world. If the initial orders are not there, it may not work for the industry,’’ Howard added.
Though India has not yet responded to the offer, the top executives at Lockheed Martin are hopeful that it will accept the offer. “They are looking for single-engine fighter and we are offering one of the best aircraft, so, we are confident that India will accept the offer,’’ said Paranjape. “They have sent letters to a few firms, including us,’’ he said.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/11/lockheed-martin-wont-heed-trump-to-land.html