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Is Lockheed dumping F-16s on India?
BBC Hindi ^
| 20 June 2017
| Vineet Khare
Posted on 06/21/2017 8:19:46 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; f16; india; lockheedmartin
To: sukhoi-30mki
Russia’s military is all bark and no bite.
2
posted on
06/21/2017 8:24:32 PM PDT
by
DIRTYSECRET
(urope. Why do they put up with this.)
To: sukhoi-30mki
“India’s Tata Group”
I wonder if they have any job openings?
3
posted on
06/21/2017 8:25:04 PM PDT
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")
To: sukhoi-30mki
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.
4
posted on
06/21/2017 8:27:44 PM PDT
by
Doc91678
(Doc91678)
To: blueunicorn6; sukhoi-30mki
The Tata Nano, world's cheapest and simplest car.
5
posted on
06/21/2017 8:32:59 PM PDT
by
2ndDivisionVet
(You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
To: 2ndDivisionVet
Did they take over Jaguar?
6
posted on
06/21/2017 8:36:56 PM PDT
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")
To: 2ndDivisionVet
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.
7
posted on
06/21/2017 8:39:12 PM PDT
by
AFreeBird
To: sukhoi-30mki
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.
8
posted on
06/21/2017 8:55:40 PM PDT
by
Reno89519
(Drain the Swamp is not party specific. Lyn' Ted is still a liar, Good riddance to him.)
To: sukhoi-30mki
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:
9
posted on
06/21/2017 8:56:29 PM PDT
by
montag813
To: montag813
10
posted on
06/21/2017 9:02:05 PM PDT
by
Spktyr
(Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
To: blueunicorn6
They currently own Jaguar and Land Rover.
11
posted on
06/21/2017 9:05:08 PM PDT
by
Spktyr
(Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
To: Reno89519
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.
12
posted on
06/21/2017 9:06:37 PM PDT
by
Spktyr
(Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
To: 2ndDivisionVet
The Tata Nano, world's cheapest and simplest car. I'd pay more for one with a complete all-round body shell
13
posted on
06/21/2017 9:18:00 PM PDT
by
Oztrich Boy
(for the night is dark and full of terrorists)
To: 2ndDivisionVet
14
posted on
06/21/2017 9:26:49 PM PDT
by
Secret Agent Man
( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
To: Secret Agent Man
Rural India isn’t Los Angeles.
15
posted on
06/21/2017 9:43:40 PM PDT
by
2ndDivisionVet
(You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
To: 2ndDivisionVet
16
posted on
06/21/2017 10:27:40 PM PDT
by
Secret Agent Man
( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
To: montag813
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.
To: 2ndDivisionVet
Low price, high BTU rating.
18
posted on
06/22/2017 3:14:47 AM PDT
by
Yo-Yo
(Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
To: 2ndDivisionVet
That’s not a car. That’s a roller skate with a steering wheel.
To: sukhoi-30mki
Advanced Block 70 American warplanes built in
America by Americans India by 3rd world laborers.
Thanks Lockheed.
20
posted on
07/06/2017 4:48:35 AM PDT
by
hattend
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