With the inking of a joint venture (JV) with India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Texas-based Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the fabled F-16 fighter jets, already seems to have a head-start over rivals in manufacturing these planes in India. In responding to queries from Gulf News, Randy Howard, director of business development for F-16, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, was quite buoyant about the fact that the company has a long history of collaboration with the Indian government, which should stand it in good stead.
Following are excerpts from an interview ...
GULF NEWS: How many F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will be manufactured as part of this JV and over what time frame, should Lockheed Martin win the contract?
RANDY HOWARD: Lockheed Martin has signed a letter of intent with TASL to work together on F-16 production in India. This does not represent a decision by either the Government of India or the United States’ Government. Government-to-government discussions are ongoing between India and the US.
How important do you think has the Indian prime minister’s ‘Make in India’ initiative been in helping convince Lockheed Martin to be ready to shift base to India for making F-16s?
Our existing partnership with TASL has proven that Indian industry can manufacture airframe components for the C-130J airlifter and the S-92 helicopter. Our proposed F-16 partnership with TASL signals our commitment to support the sale of F-16s to the Indian Air Force and ‘Make in India’ priorities.
Will Lockheed Martin be winding up its operations in Fort Worth, Texas, and moving to India?
Current F-16 production contracts provide for deliveries through late 2017. Subsequent near-term F-16 orders will be produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The production transition to Greenville does not affect the proposed F-16 production move to India.
Will this result in any loss of jobs in the US?
We have briefed the US administration on our current proposal, including the potential production line move. F-16 production in India supports thousands of Lockheed Martin and F-16 supplier jobs in the US and creates new jobs and other opportunities in India — a clear win-win for the US and India.
Since the Saab Gripen E fighter jets are also on New Delhi’s radar, how does F-16 match up to competition?
New capabilities in the F-16 Block 70 include the APG-83 advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and the supporting F-16V avionics architecture, which adds an array of new mission computers with increased processing speeds, memory, and bandwidth. The aircraft also comes with an unmatched 12,000-hour structural service life.