hardip
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Aug 4, 2016, 8:17 PM (IST)
New Delhi, August 4
American defence major Lockheed Martin on
Thursday said it has offered to move its lone
production line of the latest version of fighter
aircraft F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to
meet Indian and global requirement.
However, the company made it clear the
proposal is "conditional" to IAF choosing the
world's largest-sold fighter aircraft for its fleet.
"The offer we have given to the Indian
government is unmatched and from our side
unprecedented," Randall L Howard, F16
Business Development head at Lockheed Martin,
said here.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook ; and Twitter
@thetribunechd )
Interacting with mediapersons here, Howard
said the company wants to make F 16-Block 70
“for India, from India and export to the world”.
However, he parried questions on whether the
company is willing to give a commitment not to
sell F16s to Pakistan saying it will be part of
discussions between the Indian and American
governments.
Asked if the offer to move the production line
from Fort Worth to India is conditional to IAF
picking up the aircraft for its fleet, Abhay
Paranjape, national executive, India, said, "Yes".
He said it is conditional to assured orders from
the Indian Air Force which is looking to acquire
new aircraft to beef up its depleting strength.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said
India will choose at least one more aircraft,
besides the indigenous Tejas, for the IAF
through the 'Make in India' route.
Lockheed Martin, which has sold 4,588 F16s in
the world, faces competition from its American
rival Boeing (F/A-18E), Dassault Aviation of
France (Rafale), Swedish plane Gripen by Saab
and the Eurofighter.
All the companies have offered to set up a
production facility here.
"But we are offering not only moving the lone
production line to India but also meeting the
global requirement through the same unit here,"
Howard said, adding it is a "win-win situation".
Arguing the F 16-Block 70 will be the best
fighter aircraft in the Indian region, he said, "It
is critical for you to pick up a partner who will
deliver on his promise.”
Howard said the company is having multiple
discussions with the government here besides
the industry and "they have not been told to go
away", indicating the discussions are on.
He added Lockheed believes the production in
India will also bring down the cost of the
aircraft which in turn will increase its global
demand.
Howard did not reply to questions on the kind
of investment the company plans to make in the
country and whether it would be looking at a
100 per cent FDI, saying it was too early to
discuss this.
He said the aim of the company right now was
to give maximum data to the government and
the IAF so they can be helped in making an
informed decision.
The company termed India as the "new
epicentre of the world's most extensive,
industrial defence network".
Company sources said besides catering to
India's demand, they are also looking at a
potential export order of another 100 aircraft.
Lockheed officials said the US Air Force will
continue to fly F16s for decades to come.
They added the new avionics configuration is
the largest leap in F16 combat capability and
represents the most significant F16 upgrade till
date.
The company said current order allows the
production line in the US to stay open till late
2017. If a foreign order comes through, for
which talks are on with the US government, the
production line will be open till 2021. — PTI
(source:The Tribune)
New Delhi, August 4
American defence major Lockheed Martin on
Thursday said it has offered to move its lone
production line of the latest version of fighter
aircraft F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to
meet Indian and global requirement.
However, the company made it clear the
proposal is "conditional" to IAF choosing the
world's largest-sold fighter aircraft for its fleet.
"The offer we have given to the Indian
government is unmatched and from our side
unprecedented," Randall L Howard, F16
Business Development head at Lockheed Martin,
said here.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook ; and Twitter
@thetribunechd )
Interacting with mediapersons here, Howard
said the company wants to make F 16-Block 70
“for India, from India and export to the world”.
However, he parried questions on whether the
company is willing to give a commitment not to
sell F16s to Pakistan saying it will be part of
discussions between the Indian and American
governments.
Asked if the offer to move the production line
from Fort Worth to India is conditional to IAF
picking up the aircraft for its fleet, Abhay
Paranjape, national executive, India, said, "Yes".
He said it is conditional to assured orders from
the Indian Air Force which is looking to acquire
new aircraft to beef up its depleting strength.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said
India will choose at least one more aircraft,
besides the indigenous Tejas, for the IAF
through the 'Make in India' route.
Lockheed Martin, which has sold 4,588 F16s in
the world, faces competition from its American
rival Boeing (F/A-18E), Dassault Aviation of
France (Rafale), Swedish plane Gripen by Saab
and the Eurofighter.
All the companies have offered to set up a
production facility here.
"But we are offering not only moving the lone
production line to India but also meeting the
global requirement through the same unit here,"
Howard said, adding it is a "win-win situation".
Arguing the F 16-Block 70 will be the best
fighter aircraft in the Indian region, he said, "It
is critical for you to pick up a partner who will
deliver on his promise.”
Howard said the company is having multiple
discussions with the government here besides
the industry and "they have not been told to go
away", indicating the discussions are on.
He added Lockheed believes the production in
India will also bring down the cost of the
aircraft which in turn will increase its global
demand.
Howard did not reply to questions on the kind
of investment the company plans to make in the
country and whether it would be looking at a
100 per cent FDI, saying it was too early to
discuss this.
He said the aim of the company right now was
to give maximum data to the government and
the IAF so they can be helped in making an
informed decision.
The company termed India as the "new
epicentre of the world's most extensive,
industrial defence network".
Company sources said besides catering to
India's demand, they are also looking at a
potential export order of another 100 aircraft.
Lockheed officials said the US Air Force will
continue to fly F16s for decades to come.
They added the new avionics configuration is
the largest leap in F16 combat capability and
represents the most significant F16 upgrade till
date.
The company said current order allows the
production line in the US to stay open till late
2017. If a foreign order comes through, for
which talks are on with the US government, the
production line will be open till 2021. — PTI
(source:The Tribune)
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