Is India going for F-35 instead of F-16 or F/A-18?

[4GTejasBVR]

F35 would be a option because TOT .

We have already got TOT in rafale deal . for speactra radar etc invastment in kavery engine also and we also getting TOT with FGFA deal . So Sab gripen or f16 have nothing extra to give us . but if we get one or two additional tech we can get only by f35 which we can use in amca also . so as Par any usefull TOT only F35 can help .

The Make in India would be a meter

If LM provide India sub system production or service facility or some thin other share in f35 production this would be a good deal for both India and LM.

I think our stakes are high with this deal. If it's not for complete TOT we won't go for it. F16 are reluctant to go for complete TOT. But Gripin can. Yet Engine and many equipment has to come. From different western entities

 

[1ndy]

What ToT from Gripen other than radar? Only mission computer, airframe and radar is in their control.

 

[newindiandefence]

What ToT from Gripen other than radar? Only mission computer, airframe and radar is in their control.

Gripen only should be selected if there Would be a option of future R/D joint venture between Saab & hal . so after finish of make in India 90 gripen e in 2025 they can go for fs2020 gripen like thealth product to run the unit active . other wise this only gripen e deal would be a disaster.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/us-indian-govts-talking-on-making-f-16-in-india-lockheed_1978112.html

Bengaluru: American defence major Lockheed Martin on Thursday said discussions are currently taking place between the US and Indian governments on the company's plans to set up manufacturing base for F-16 fighter jets in India.

"The conversation has progressed to the point that we are deferring at this point to the government-to-government conversation. And that conversation is ongoing," a top company official told reporters at Aero India 2017 air show here.

The comments from Randy Howard, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Integrated Fighter, Director, Business Development, came when asked about its move to push ahead with its plan to move production of its F-16 to India, but that the Trump Administration is taking a "fresh look" at its proposal.

"We had really very strong support up to this point. We are deferring those questions and concerns over to governments who are having an ongoing conversation. The discussions have progressed to the point that the requirements need to be more fully articulated...," he said.

"There are a number of internal discussions going on here in India on strategic partners. Discussions between the two governments at this point. We will wait to hear from the two governments and Lockheed Martin is fully supportive of those decisions," he said.

Lockheed had said recently that its officials have briefed the Trump Administration on the current proposal, which was supported by the Obama Administration as part of a broader cooperative dialogue with the Government of India.

Trump has flayed US firms for having moved manufacturing overseas and then sell their products back to the US and asked them to produce in the US itself. Lockheed, however, does not plan to sell back F-16 in the US which has not placed fresh orders for it.

In August last, Lockheed had offered to move its lone production line of the latest version of F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement.

However, the company has made it clear the proposal is "conditional" to Indian Air Force choosing the world's largest-sold fighter aircraft for its fleet.

"We understand that the Trump Administration will want to take a fresh look at some of these programmes and we stand prepared to support that effort to ensure that any deal of this importance is properly aligned with US policy priorities," a Lockheed Martin official had said recently.


First Published: Friday, February 17, 2017 - 00:38

 

[Hindustani78]

In this February 16, 2017 file photo, U.S. fighter aircraft F-16 performs on the third day of Aero India 2017 at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore, India. | Photo Credit: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/news/intern...make-f-16-planes-in-india/article19103597.ece

In announcing their agreement at the Paris Airshow, Lockheed and Tata said moving the production base to India would still retain jobs in the US.

Weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, American aircraft major Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed an agreement to produce the F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft in India to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) single-engine jet requirement.

The IAF is about to initiate the process for the selection of a single engine fighter aircraft to replace the Russian MIG’s in service under the recently promulgated Strategic Partnership (SP) model of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). It is not clear if there is political blessing for setting up of F-16 fighter production facility in India or IAF ordering the legendary fighters. However, the announcement from Paris Air Show, where among those present was Ratan Tata, came just ahead of Modi's meeting with Trump later this month.

“This agreement builds on the already established joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Tata and underscores the relationship and commitment between the two companies,” said N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons.

The SP model has four segments submarines, single engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured carriers/main battle tanks and specifically intends to open up defence manufacturing to the private sector. The deal for 100 plus fighter aircraft is estimated to be worth over ₹60,000 crore.


The contenders for the deal are F-16 of Lockheed Martin and Gripen of SAAB. The likely Indian private sector players in the race are TASL and Mahindra group both of which have a footprint in the aerospace sector.

The statement also said that F-16 production in India supports thousands of Lockheed Martin and F-16 supplier jobs in the US, creates new manufacturing jobs in India, and positions Indian industry at the centre of the most extensive fighter aircraft supply ecosystem in the world.

While Mr. Modi has put forward the ‘Make in India’ initiative to develop the manufacturing sector in India, Mr. Trump has given a call ‘America First’ to get jobs back to the US.

TASAL has an existing partnership with Lockheed under which it manufactures airframe components for the C-130J airlifter and the S-92 helicopter.

 

[Hindustani78]

In this October 17, 2015 file photo, US Navy’s F-18 aircraft lands on aircraft-carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during the ‘Malabar’ exercise with the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast. | Photo Credit: Dennis J. Jesudasan

http://www.thehindu.com/news/intern...16-and-f-18/article19637853.ece?homepage=true

WASHINGTON:, September 07, 2017 20:27 IST
Updated: September 07, 2017 21:08 IST

Built by Boeing and Lockheed Martin respectively, both these US firms will assemble these planes in the country.

The Trump administration has told the U.S Congress that it “strongly supports” the sale of F-18 and F-16 fighter planes to India, built by American companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin respectively. Both companies have offered to assemble these planes in India, should New Delhi decide to buy them. President Donald Trump is in principle against companies relocating facilities abroad and a written submission to a Congressional subcommittee by Alice Wells, acting Assistant Secretary of State for the South and Central Asian Affairs, clarifies the administration’s position on the issue.

U.S lawmakers and bureaucrats in general have been enthusiastic supporters of selling these fighters to India, and are now presenting them as deals that could reduce America’s trade deficit with India and create more jobs in America than they relocate — issues that are top on Mr. Trump’s agenda. Ms. Wells mentioned the strategic significance of defence cooperation with India — “defence cooperation with India is so vital to US interests because we need India to be a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific” — but also added that America needs to do more to reduce the deficit. She added US exports to India support more than 260,000 American jobs “across all 50 states.”

F-16 and Gripen, built by Swedish company Saab, are in competition for the proposed single-engine fighter acquisition for the Indian Air Force. French Rafale and Boeing’s F/A-18 are competing for the contract for Indian Navy’s twin engine fleet for its aircraft carriers. Lockheed Martin and Tata have announced a joint venture to manufacture F-16, while Saab announced a JV with Adani last week for Gripen.

Best choices: Ashley Tellis
Strategic expert Ashley Tellis recently argued in a paper that F-16 and F-A/18 are the best choices for India in their respective categories. According to him, India will become the hub of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 manufacture for the entire world — there are more countries exploring purchase — and in supporting the 3,200 F-16s that continue to be in service in 25 countries.

The U.S military no longer buys F-16 but the 950-odd F-16s will remain in US Air Force (USAF) service for another two decades, Mr. Tellis said. For F-A/18 the argument has been based more on technological superiority, though Boeing also has offered manufacturing in India and transfer of technology.

Concerns for India
India has several concerns to be addressed before it moves ahead. “What is the depth of the technology transfer that these companies will offer to India? How will they help India’s aspirations for the domestic defence manufacturing capabilities? When they say they will make in India, what exactly will they make in India - as components are manufactured world over, and mostly in America,” a source familiar with the Indian position told The Hindu.

There are also questions about the ammunition supplies and American assurances in the event of a conflict with Pakistan. Pakistan also has a fleet of earlier generation F-16s supplied by America. India is also unclear about the future market for F-16s outside of India

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Gripen should buy Gripen E, and buy Corn of the Cob w ToT on popcorn from the US,
to watch Trump tweeting on overdrive.
1,2B Indians buying popcorn might significantly reduce trade deficitit.

 

[Hindustani78]

Lockheed and Swedish firm Saab are the only two companies exploring opportunities to build F-16s and Gripens under the single-engine programme.We will still be in that competition. We are here for the long term,” said Vivek Lall, Lockheed vice-president (strategy and business development).

At a time when the government seems disinterested to pursue plans to locally produce single-engine fighters in collaboration with a global defence contractor, US military contractor Lockheed Martin on Wednesday said its offer to build F-16 jets “stands firm”.

Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia s preparing to launch a fresh hunt for fighter aircraft to sharpen the combat edge over the enemy air force that is grappling with a shortage of warplanes, Hindustan Times had reported last week. However, there has been no official announcement.

“We haven’t heard anything officially from the government and continue to pursue opportunities to build F-16s under the Make in Saudi Arabia framework,” said Vivek Lall, Lockheed vice-president (strategy and business development).

Lall refused to comment on whether the F-35 stealth fighter was being offered to Saudi Arabia, saying it was “a government-to-government conversation.” He, however, said “technology improvements” would continue to flow between the single-engine F-16 and F-35 at the fraction of the cost to F-16 operators. He also said that almost half of the F-16 supply chain was common with the F-35.

What if the government announces it will float a new global tender or take the government-to-government route to buy new jets?

The earlier plan was to pursue two separate projects under the Make in Saudi initiative to build single-engine and twin-engine planes in the country. However, both these plans had not taken off.


Making a renewed pitch for the F-16, Lall said the “exclusive production” of the planes represented a significant opportunity to further defence diplomacy as 25 global air forces operated over 3,000 F-16 jets. He said the production of F-16s could begin in Denmark within three years of a deal. Deal yet has to be finalised. Currently total around 400 (requirement included) in central Europe, South America, Mediterranean and Asia,” he said.


Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia had floated a global tender for 126 planes more than a decade ago but it stood cancelled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in April 2015 that India would buy 36 Rafale jets from France under a government-to-government deal.


The count of the Indian Air Force fighter squadrons has reduced to 32 compared to an optimum strength of 42-plus units required to fight a two-front war.

 

[MiG-35-BD]

If India manages to get a decent quantity of F-35, it would be a serious threat for Pakistan. F-16s, 126 of them would also be a potent force.

Question is if India can get these goodies in good time or it will delay dalay like always and 4 years later have nothing much to show for it. Reminds me of the MRCA.

 

[xyxmt]

why waste time on this now, we will find out by 2035

 

[Hindustani78]

If India manages to get a decent quantity of F-35, it would be a serious threat for Pakistan. F-16s, 126 of them would also be a potent force.

Question is if India can get these goodies in good time or it will delay dalay like always and 4 years later have nothing much to show for it. Reminds me of the MRCA.

Here its about Fifth Generation fighter jets and F-35 is Fifth Generation fighter Jets which has been already deployed by the United States Military. F-35 are being already deployed in Japan, Turkey, Norway and even Italy i think.

Tejas is 4.5 Generation fighter jets which can be upgraded up to Fifth Generation fighter Jet but already Fifth Generation Fighter Jets are being under test trails for both Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia had floated a global tender for 126 planes more than a decade ago but it stood cancelled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in April 2015 that India would buy 36 Rafale jets from France under a government-to-government deal.

 

[ashok321]

Is India going for F-35 instead of F-16 or F/A-18?

India should mull over this (above) question/option only when the US has agreed to sell F-35 to it.
In the absence of US decision to sell F-35 to India and India contemplating upon such is akin to a following situation:

Machli samunder me aur Ami (mama) masala pees rahi..

Modi toadies love to exaggerate & distort things.

 

[Hindustani78]

Is India going for F-35 instead of F-16 or F/A-18?

India should mull over this (above) question/option only when the US has agreed to sell F-35 to it.
In the absence of US decision to sell F-35 to India and India contemplating upon such is akin to a following situation:

Machli samunder me aur Ami (mama) masala pees rahi..

Modi toadies love to exaggerate & distort things.

United States of America will sell F-35 only to those nations who are allies of United States of America but that would be with ToT or not , this is a seperate issue but here United States Adm. might deploy F-35 along with its well trained pilots which is mainly linked to the defense agreements.

Indian Establishment is not looking to buy F-35 from United States of America as Republic of India is already having Fifth Generation fighter jets.

 

[faithfulguy]

United States of America will sell F-35 only to those nations who are allies of United States of America but that would be with ToT or not , this is a seperate issue but here United States Adm. might deploy F-35 along with its well trained pilots which is mainly linked to the defense agreements.

Indian Establishment is not looking to buy F-35 from United States of America as Republic of India is already having Fifth Generation fighter jets.

Which fifth gen fighter is India getting?

 

[Mitho1980]

F35 f16 or f18 which aircraft will iaf crash first.
Change topic to this