Lockheed says F-21 jets will not be sold to any other country if it wins IAF deal

US aero giant Lockheed Martin says it will t sell its newly rolled out F-21 fighter jet to any or country if India places an order for 114 planes, in an offer aimed at pitching itself ahe of its US, European and Russian competitors for mega deal.

Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin, says if F-21 wins contract, n India will be integrated into company's global fighter ecosystem, which is a USD 165 billion dollar market.

In an interview to PTI, Lall said new combat jet is designed to operate across over 60 air force stations in India, and its key aspects include superior engine matrix, electronic warfare system and weapons carrying capacity.

"We will t sell this platform and configuration to anyone in world. It is a significant commitment by Lockheed Martin and it shows importance of India and importance of unique requirement India has," he said.

Last month, Indian Air Force issued an RFI (Request for Information) or initial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around USD 18 billion, which is billed as one of world's biggest military procurement in recent years.

top contenders for deal include Lockheed's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft Mig 35 and Saab's Gripen. 

Official sources said IAF is pushing for finalising mega deal in wake of Balakot strikes and evolving security scenario in region.

Lall said if Lockheed wins contract, it will t only set up a state-of--art F-21 manufacturing facility along with Tata Group, but will also help India create an ecosystem for overall growth of country's defence manufacturing.

On observation that F-21 is similar to Lockheed's F 16 Block 70 combat jet, he said such a view is unfair as re have been significantly differences between two platforms.

F-21 is different in terms of various aspects including its air frame, weapons capability, engine matrix  and availability of engine options.

"As for example, you are w looking at 12,000 hours of service life air frame in F-21 versus 8,000 hours previously (F 16 Block 70). ditional 40 per cent weapons carrying capability is new in F-21 which was t re in F 16 Block 70. electronic warfare system is uniquely developed for India," he ded.

"Looking from a distance may make it look similar to F 16 Block 70, but it is different," he ded.

Besides having a tritional boom-delivered refueling facility, F 21 also has an extendable hose-and-drogue refuelling probe. 

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"This is only fighter in world which has both capability," said Lall, ding cockpit has a new large area display. 

"It is a modern cockpit and has a significant piece of ability to synsise information. se are unique capabilities that we are t offering to or countries in world," said Lockheed executive.

jet has a Long-Range Infrared Search and Track (IRST), enabling pilots to detect threats with precision and Triple Missile Launcher apters (TMLAs) allowing it to carry 40 per cent more air-to-air weapons.

Without giving any approximate price of each bare-bone aircraft, he pitched it as most cost effective compared to competitors in terms of life-cycle and operational costs.

"If you look at US government data, vant is 30-40 per cent in terms of cost effectiveness. This is lower compared to competitors. If you aggregate with years and years of operations in life cycle, it is a huge amount of saving for India if it goes ahe with F-21," said Lall.

Lockheed, which has a longstanding relationship of 25 years in India, unveiled F-21 during Aero India show in Bengaluru in February, saying it will dress Indian Air Force's unique requirements.

In sync with its priority for India, Lockheed, in September last year, finalised a joint venture with Tata vanced Systems to produce F-16 wings in India for export. 

"As we continue to expand our footprint, we are talking to more than 190 companies in India. idea is to partner with India across a wide variety of interests," said Lall.

He said number of family members of F 21 aircraft is around world 3,000 (F 16), and if Lockheed wins contract, n India will be linked to an ecosystem which is a 165 billion dollar market. 

"This is world's largest fighter ecosystem. India will be integrated into 165 billion dollar market which is unparalleled," said Lall.

Indo-US defence ties are on an upswing and both New Delhi and Washington have said y are committed to expanding it furr. 

In June 2016, US h designated India a "Major Defence Partner" elevating defence tre and techlogy sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. 

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