ISLAMABAD – US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin says it will not sell itsnewly rolled out F-21 fighter jet to any other country if India places anorder for 114 planes, in an offer aimed at pitching itself ahead of its US,European and Russian competitors for the mega deal.
Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development forLockheed Martin, says if F-21 wins the contract, then India will beintegrated into the company’s global fighter ecosystem, which is a USD 165billion dollar market, Press Trust of India has reported.
In an interview to PTI, Lall said the new combat jet is designed to operateacross over 60 air force stations in India, and its key aspects includesuperior engine matrix, electronic warfare system and weapons carryingcapacity.
“We will not sell this platform and the configuration to anyone in theworld. It is a significant commitment by Lockheed Martin and it showsimportance of India and importance of unique requirement India has,” hesaid.
Last month, the Indian Air Force issued an RFI (Request for Information) orinitial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around USD 18 billion,which is billed as one of the world’s biggest military procurement inrecent years.
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The top contenders for the deal include Lockheed’s F-21, Boeing’s F/A-18,Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft Mig35 and Saab’s Gripen. Official sources said the IAF is pushing forfinalising the mega deal in the wake of the Balakot strikes and evolvingsecurity scenario in the region.
Lall said if Lockheed wins the contract, it will not only set up astate-of-the-art F-21 manufacturing facility along with the Tata Group, butwill also help India create an ecosystem for overall growth of thecountry’s defence manufacturing.
