Lockheed Martin Unveils Specially Configured F-21 For Indian Air Force; To Be Built Under Make-In-India

US Defence major Lockheed Martin today (20 January) announced a new F-21 fighter jet which will be locally manufactured under the ‘Make In India’ programme along with its India partner Tata Advanced Systems.

Lockheed Martin is hoping to bag an order from the Indian Air Force.

The jet was unveiled at the ongoing Aero India in Bengaluru. With F-21, the company aims to win the $15 billion contract under which the Indian government plans to purchase 110 fighter jets.

Apart from Lockheed, Russia's United Aircraft Corp., which makes MiG fighters, Sweden's SAAB, France's Dassault Aviation, Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing are in the fray to close the world's largest such deal.

“The F-21 addresses the Indian Air Force’s unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world’s pre-eminent defence company. Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India,” said a company release.

Boost To ‘Make In India’

Lockheed Martin aims to woo the Indian government through its proposal of locally setting up facilities to make the jets. “The F-21 is an unprecedented ‘Make in India’ opportunity ─ combining the strength of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defence contractor, and Tata, India's premier industrial house, to deliver a historic win-win for the US and India,” added the company.

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