BY ECONOMICTIMES.COM | UPDATED: JUN 21, 2017,
07.19 PM IST
In what could be a big boost to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s ‘Make in India’ programme, the defence arm of the Tata Group has signed
an agreement with American firm Lockheed Martin to produce and export new
generation F-16 fighter aircraft.
The deal, coming days ahead of PM Modi’s first meeting
with US President Donald Trump, was signed at the Paris Air Show. It is subject
to the condition that the F-16 Block 70 fighter jet emerges as the winner of an
Indian Air Force competition to procure more than 100 single-engine fighters.
The Tata Advanced Systems Limited-Lockheed Martin combine
will compete with Sweden’s Saab, which will offer its Gripen fighter aircraft
for the requirement.
But some defence experts think Lockheed is trying to sell
obsolete aircraft to India. Defence expert Brahma Chellaney wrote on Twitter:
“India a dumping ground for obsolete weapons system? Lockheed Martin signs F-16
deal with Tata. Why Tata? Because they make the noisiest car?”
"Is Lockheed dumping F-16s on India?" F-16s
will become more obsolete by the time the first India-made ones roll out https://t.co/fCWpE3Rkgd — Brahma Chellaney
(@Chellaney) June 21, 2017
“F-16s developed
in the '70s have already reached the optimum level of modernisation. The US Air
Force has phased them out in favour of the much more advanced F-35s,” Defence
writer Rahul Bedi told BBC.
However, Lockheed has countered the argument: “The F-16
remains the backbone of the US Air Force's frontline air fleet and the US Air
Force plans to operate F-16s, alongside F-35s and other aircraft, for decades
into the future. The US Air Force recently announced plans to extend the
structural service life of up to 841 of its F-16s,” the company said in a reply
to BBC.
Source: indiatimes.com
LM is definitely dumping obsolete F-16 to
India. If India chooses the F-16 there
would be questions left unanswered as it is no match for the Gripen E in every
criteria………..and they cost the same……..
The Indian pro US camp are cheering on
blindly…….sad…….
If India really goes for the F-16 than it
would be wise for Pakistan to go for Gripen even the C/D with MS20 will beat
the F-16 Block 70……..and it’s cheaper by 60 million……..
Related post:
F-16V Fighter– Upgrade: Details
Gripen C/D: Details
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