Indians calls for best technologies

Defence Group Lockheed Martin has restated the export potential of made in India F-16 fighter aircraft, with top official seeing an export potential for US$20 billion while competing for another US$15 billion long-term order from the Indian Air Force.

Lockheed vice president of strategy and business development, Vivek Lall, export demand for 200 aircraft, adding that the company was in discussions with 10 countries, according to a Reuters report.

But India remains crucial in this strategy as the country’s need for renewing jet fighter fleet could be worth US$15 billion, military observers have pointed out.

Lockheed has a partnership with Indian heavyweight Tata Advanced System to make F-16 in India.

Lockheed has said in the past that it was ready to move F-16 production to India as its Fort Worth plant is now making fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the US Air Force.

India, however, faces a tough decision on the next generation of fighter jets for staying competitive with air force capabilities of arch rival Pakistan and northern neighbor China.

India has a choice of Boeing’s F/A-18, Saab’s Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and upgraded Russian Aircraft as well as Dassault Aviation’s Rafael, already a subject of heated debates in the country.

India needs 750 fighter jets equipped with most advanced technologies.

The Indians, figuratively speaking, are tired of the Russian MiG-21, often taunted for ageing technologies. fiinews.com