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Lockheed Martin, Tata partner for Indian F-16 wing production
Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
05 September 2018
Lockheed Martin has signed a deal with Tata to position the Indian company as the global manufacturer of wings for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Source: US Air Force
Lockheed Martin has signed an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to support the production of wings for the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in India.
In comments to Jane’s on 5 September, John R Losinger, who is in charge of integrated fighter group communications at Lockheed Martin, said the initiative enables TASL to become “the provider of wings for all future F-16 customers, and strengthens [its] role in the F-16 global supply chain”.
He added that it will take about two years for TASL to “demonstrate this manufacturing capability and become a certified Lockheed Martin supplier. Tata will then be able to submit bids for wing manufacturing beginning in late 2020 or early 2021”.
Losinger added that arrangement also strengthens Lockheed Martin’s partnership with TASL and the corporation’s support for New Delhi’s ‘Make in India’ programme.
The two companies currently operate two joint ventures in India that produce components supporting Lockheed Martin’s global programmes to build C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and Sikorsky S-92 medium-lift helicopters.
Lockheed Martin and TASL are also partnered on a bid to licence manufacture the F-16 Block 70 in India should the aircraft be selected by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its future air combat requirement.
However, commenting on this requirement, Losinger said the plan to produce F-16 wings in India in partnership with TASL “is not contingent on the government of India selecting the F-16 for the Indian Air Force”.
In a statement, Lockheed Martin also said its “broader proposed F-16 partnership with India – to produce F-16s exclusively in India for the Indian Air Force and export customers – stands firm”. In support of this potential deal, the company also confirmed that it has recently submitted a “comprehensive, fully compliant, 600-plus page request for information [RFI] response to the Indian Air Force”.
Source Janes 360
Indian Coast Guard OPV "Sachet". Goa shipyards picture.
Indian Coast Guard Commissioned OPV ‘Sachet’ And Two Interceptor Boats
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) "Sachet" and two interceptor boats (IBs) C-450 and C-451 in Goa via video conference from here today.
Martin Manaranche 16 May 2020
Indian Ministry of Defence press release
The ICGS “Sachet”, the first in the series of five offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) has been designed & built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment.
“The commissioning of these ships is an important milestone in India’s coastal capability building process. Also, despite challenges like COVID-19, it is also a great example of our commitment and determination for the safety and security of the country. The rising power of ‘our sea guard’, ICG and Indian shipbuilding industry is a matter of pride for the country.”
Shri Rajnath Singh, Indian Coast Guard Commander.
“The oceans are the lifelines of not only our country, but also global prosperity.” Safe, protected and clean seas provide economic opportunities for our nation building. India is an emerging maritime power, and our prosperity is also very dependent on the sea. Being a responsible maritime power, Oceans are priority of the Government.”
Indian Minister of Defence (Raksha Mantri)
“As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, it has established itself as a reliable force. It not only protects our coastline and coastal community, but also protects economic activities, and maritime environment in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
Shri Rajnath Singh
Indian MoD picture
The Raksha Mantri (the Indian MoD) acknowledged that the sea can become a medium of any kind of threats sponsored by anti-national elements. Therefore it is extremely important to develop a collaborative and cooperative approach among all stakeholders. He expressed confidence that the Coast Guard Ships being inducted from today onwards will add to their strength and help in addressing the challenges related to maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling, maritime law enforcement and the search and rescue of threatened mariners.
Shri Rajnath Singh praised the efforts of Goa Shipyard and L&T Shipyard, Hazira who have continued to build and maintain ships under the present circumstances. He said, “It also shows the professionalism. It is noteworthy that Indian Shipyards are making significant contribution to the vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India campaign’, which was recently inspired by our Prime Minister.”
Director General of Indian Coast Guard Krishnaswamy Natarajan said the commissioning event proved that despite the hurdles posed by COVID19, the ICG moves ahead. He said the new additions to the ICG fleet of vessels would assist the ICG to remain ever vigilant at sea and contribute to nation’s fight against COVID-19.
Interceptor Boat C-451. Indian MoD picture.
The 105 metre long ship ‘Sachet’ displaces approximately 2,350 tons and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles. The sustenance and reach, coupled with the latest equipment and systems, provides her the capability to perform the role of a command platform and undertake tasks to fulfill the ICG charter. The ship is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter and four high speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and search & rescue operations. The ship is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.
‘Sachet’ meaning alert is projection of will and commitment of ICG ‘to be ever vigilant for serving and protecting’ the maritime interest of the Nation. The ICGS Sachet is being commanded by Deputy Inspector General Rajesh Mittal and manned by 11 Officers and 110 men. It is for the first time in Indian maritime history that a ship was commissioned through digital medium, maintaining strict protocol of social distancing in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.
The IBs C-450 and C-451 are indigenously designed & built by Larsen & Toubro Shipyard Hazira, and fitted with latest navigation and communication equipment. The two 30 metre long boats are capable of achieving speeds in excess of 45 knots and designed for high speed interception, close coast patrol and low intensity maritime operations. The quick response capability of the IBs makes it an ideal platform to respond and thwart any emerging maritime situation. The ships are commanded by Assistant Commandant Gaurav Kumar Gola and Assistant Commandant Akin Zutshi.
Indian MoD picture
The ships, on joining the Coast Guard fleet, will be deployed extensively for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, coastal security and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter of duties, to safeguard the maritime interests of the Nation. With the commissioning of these ships, the ICG has reached a landmark 150 ships & Boats and 62 aircraft. Further, 40 ships are in various stages of construction at different Indian Shipyards and 16 advanced light helicopters are under production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, which will provide the added strength to the surveillance capabilities of ICG to deal with the ever-dynamic maritime challenges.
The ICG has to its credit of saving about 400 lives at sea, 4,500 lives as part of assistance rendered to civil authorities and undertook 32 medical evacuations in the year 2019 alone. The deterrence created by the ICG is not limited to the Indian waters, but collaboration with friendly littoral states as per provisions of bilateral cooperation agreements resulted in successful apprehension and seizure of drugs in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The real time information sharing, close coordination and understanding between ICG and other international agencies has been the key success of these operations. Hawk eye vigil of the Indian EEZ has ensured seizure of Rs 2,000 crore contraband, detainment of 30 foreign fishing vessels with 119 miscreants for fishing illegally in Indian waters during the same period.
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar, Secretary (Defence Finance) Smt Gargi Kaul and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence were present in Delhi while Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sripad Naik and Chairman & Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Cmde Bharat Bhushan Nagpal (Retd) were present in Goa on the occasion.