Is Lockheed dumping F-16s on India?

BBC Hindi ^ | 20 June 2017 | Vineet Khare

[sukhoi-30mki]

LOCKHEED MARTIN HANDOUT

Tata and Lockheed Martin bosses signed an agreement in Paris

Lockheed Martin and India's Tata Group have formalised an agreement to relocate the manufacturing of the most advanced F-16 fighter jets to India.

The effort is aimed at securing a multi-billion dollar deal from Delhi.

The announcement comes days ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Washington for a meeting with President Trump.

But some defence experts are accusing Lockheed of offloading obsolete aircraft on India.

What's in the deal?

India will be able to "produce, operate and export the multi fighter F-16 Block 70 aircraft", a joint release said.

"Contingent upon (the) US and Indian government agreement and approval, F-16 Block 70 aircraft would be produced exclusively in India," said a Lockheed Martin statement to the BBC.

"The F-16 Block 70, the next production version of the aircraft, would be the only F-16 version in production. As such, India would become the future home of F-16 production worldwide."

Many see the arrangement as a boost to Mr Modi's "Make in India" push, although it may take years to bear fruit.

Lockheed and Tata would have to win a formal bidding process to begin co-manufacturing.

Why does India need it?

India needs to replace over 200 aged MiGs that are already pushing the expiry date, experts say.

The Russian-supplied MIGs have faced criticism over the years for alleged malfunctioning and frequent crashes that have killed scores of Indian pilots.

Russians blame the crashes on poor Indian maintenance. India has been trying to ease its traditional reliance on Russia by diversifying its buying options.

[sukhoi-30mki]

[DIRTYSECRET]

Russia’s military is all bark and no bite.

[blueunicorn6]

“India’s Tata Group”

I wonder if they have any job openings?

[Doc91678]

The F-16 is one of the best fighter planes built. Even after 35 years it’s still a plane to be reckoned with. That’s why it is still in service with USAF.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Tata Nano, world's cheapest and simplest car.

[blueunicorn6]

Did they take over Jaguar?

[AFreeBird]

Once upon a time, so was the Model-T. Of course it was basically the only mass produced vehicle at the time.

Simple and cheap works.

[Reno89519]

This is treason at some level to be selling these to India and other countries that really are not our allies. Hope they have unremovable remote off buttons.

[montag813]

But some defence experts are accusing Lockheed of offloading obsolete aircraft on India.

Is that a JOKE? Here is the best the pathetic assclowns at Tata could come up with on their own:

[Spktyr]

You may want to read this first.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Advanced_Systems

[Spktyr]

They currently own Jaguar and Land Rover.

[Spktyr]

We already sold the F-16 to Pakistan and other countries.

Supposedly the F-35 is to be our replacement for the F-16. ROFLMAO.

[Oztrich Boy]

The Tata Nano, world's cheapest and simplest car.

I'd pay more for one with a complete all-round body shell

[Secret Agent Man]

“car”

[2ndDivisionVet]

Rural India isn’t Los Angeles.

[Secret Agent Man]

Correct.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Is that a JOKE? Here is the best the pathetic assclowns at Tata could come up with on their own:

The point is that the Indians can buy from other countries besides the US - India is one of the largest buyers of military equipment in the world. If they think the F-16 is old, they can go to France or the Eurofighter Consortium or the Russians for newer alternatives. Obviously India is not claiming it can build something better than the F-16 by itself - that's why they're buying from other countries and want any deal for a fighter jet to include technology transfer, so they can learn how to build them.

But I think the argument that the F-16 is too old is absurd - the US uses the F-16 and will continue to do so for decades to come. If it's good enough for the most powerful military in the history of the world, it's more than good enough for any other military.

[Yo-Yo]

Low price, high BTU rating.

[Tonytitan]

That’s not a car. That’s a roller skate with a steering wheel.

[hattend]

Advanced Block 70 American warplanes built in America by Americans India by 3rd world laborers.

Thanks Lockheed.