Will India become main manufacturer of Pakistan's beloved F-16 jets?

[Pandora]

If I remember correctly from earlier new stories, there was talk of transferring the entire production line not just the assembly line. I may have misread something here, so please correct me if I am wrong. But transferring just the assembly line seems a bit weird. How inconvenient would it be to transport critical technology half way around the world, just to get it assembled in India? And if the pacific ocean route is taken, that makes the supply chain vulnerable to China, whereas the atlantic ocean route makes it vulnerable to Al-Qaeda pirate around the horn of Africa, and Iran (and by association, Russia) in the Arabian sea.

US never transfered critical technologies to even its NATO allies. Japan was forced to adopt its own radar and other critical systems on F16s after US refused TOT for radar and engiene. If there is a TOT then it will be partial excluding critical components such as radars. American might want Indians as lap dogs but they are also vary of their connections with Russians in defense industry.

 

[CriticalThought]

US never transfered critical technologies to even its NATO allies. Japan was forced to adopt its own radar and other critical systems on F16s after US refused TOT for radar and engiene. If there is a TOT then it will be partial excluding critical components such as radars. American might want Indians as lap dogs but they are also vary of their connections with Russians in defense industry.

Your points are valid. They might be the undoing of the idea in the end. But if they go through with it, it can be a game changer for India's relations with Russia. The US might request a deal where the factories are considered US territory and are managed by US personnel. The idea isn't far-fetched. A country's embassy is considered it's own territory within other states. They just need to extend the concept to factories. A lot is possible, if they really try to make it happen.

 

[ito]

US never transfered critical technologies to even its NATO allies. Japan was forced to adopt its own radar and other critical systems on F16s after US refused TOT for radar and engiene. If there is a TOT then it will be partial excluding critical components such as radars. American might want Indians as lap dogs but they are also vary of their connections with Russians in defense industry.

India and lap dog first see the size of India and then comment. In next 30 years India will outflank US in economic might.

 

[YeBeWarned]

It depends a lot on what India wants from the deal. If it goes with F16s, then it buys US influence, on the other hands Gripen is a newer platform but no significant political advantages of buying it.

By the way where did this number 400 fighter jets popped up. As far as I know the number will be 200 to 250

Agreed , but what i believe that IAF should order more Rafale and focus on Tejas to replace Mig-21's .. but that's just my Opinion ..

 

[ito]

Agreed , but what i believe that IAF should order more Rafale and focus on Tejas to replace Mig-21's .. but that's just my Opinion ..

That is why I was saying 400 is too many. 200 fighter are short gap arrangement. India will ultimately move towards Tejas and AMCA may be with a bit of help from LM or SAAB.

 

[YeBeWarned]

That is why I was saying 400 is too many. 200 fighter are short gap arrangement. India will ultimately move towards Tejas and AMCA may be with a bit of help from LM or SAAB.

Numbers are always Exaggerated , some can be changed later , and some are just Fanboy wishes ...
But what IAF has to face in coming 4 years to retire i think 200 Mig-21 which are getting more and more dangerous to Fly, Risking a Pilot is far more dangerous .. Tejas need to boost in its Production , cause once it start coming so than that't it .. F-16 or Gripen both are expensive if you want to buy in numbers , with weapon + Support and possibility of Assembly Line will require a huge some of Money ..Plus US has a History of no sharing Vital Tech with other countries even with close Allies ..the best way to Move forward for IAF will be 300 Su-30MKK , 80-100Rafale and 200Tejas and rest can be Jaguars and Mirage ..

 

[ito]

Numbers are always Exaggerated , some can be changed later , and some are just Fanboy wishes ...
But what IAF has to face in coming 4 years to retire i think 200 Mig-21 which are getting more and more dangerous to Fly, Risking a Pilot is far more dangerous .. Tejas need to boost in its Production , cause once it start coming so than that't it .. F-16 or Gripen both are expensive if you want to buy in numbers , with weapon + Support and possibility of Assembly Line will require a huge some of Money ..Plus US has a History of no sharing Vital Tech with other countries even with close Allies ..the best way to Move forward for IAF will be 300 Su-30MKK , 80-100Rafale and 200Tejas and rest can be Jaguars and Mirage ..

I guess India has already made up its mind to buy either F16 or Gripen. The number of squadrons are at all time low and Indian Air Force feels that Tejas is not cutting edge for them to fly it yet. However, defence manufacturing is Modi pet project under Make in India program. I am sure any fighter India choose will help India in Tejas and AMCA.

 

[cloud4000]

Only if Russia had a single-engine to offer, the decision would be an easy one, but the decision seems to be down to F-16 or Gripen. It will all depend on price per unit, ToT, and other political considerations.

 

[YeBeWarned]

I guess India has already made up its mind to buy either F16 or Gripen. The number of squadrons are at all time low and Indian Air Force feels that Tejas is not cutting edge for them to fly it yet. However, defence manufacturing is Modi pet project under Make in India program. I am sure any fighter India choose will help India in Tejas and AMCA.

Buying Gripen or F-16 will put Tejas in cold Storage , maybe slow the progress at least cause funds will be Divided .. and even if both platforms are inducted it will make a Logistical Nightmare for IAF ..
Su30
Tejas
Mirage
Jaguar
F-16/Gripen

 

[cloud4000]

Buying Gripen or F-16 will put Tejas in cold Storage , maybe slow the progress at least cause funds will be Divided .. and even if both platforms are inducted it will make a Logistical Nightmare for IAF ..
Su30
Tejas
Mirage
Jaguar
F-16/Gripen

The whole purpose of buying a single-engine fighter and manufacturing it in India is twofold:

1. There is a serious fighter gap in India that Tejas simply cannot fill at this time. The aircraft, in its current form, is not up to snuff.
2. India's defense sector needs a serious boost on various areas, including management, technology, and manufacturing. Having a respected defense company like Lockheed Martin or SAAB into the picture will boost dividends and hopefully help Tejas and other programs down the line.

 

[TOPGUN]

A big no and another no !!

 

[General General]

If by some chance India does get an assembly line of F16s from the U.S to supply global customers, it would be a huge slap in the face of India. India will be only the manufacturer, and won't have a say in who they make the jets for. If Pakistan orders some fighters from Lockheed and India is asked to manufacture them, imagine the public out lash there; India is making a front line jet that will be aimed directly at them. It will be a political suicide.
India won't able to refuse the order as they would just be the manufacturers, neither could they be sly and install a dodgy component as that would be a breach of contract. Imagine the lawsuit! India will be forced to make the plane, knowing that each of these components would be used to drop bombs on them in the unlikely case of an outright war. Then, they'll have to deliver it, after testing that all the systems are in optimal condition to attack their own country, with an obligatory customer- client smile.

 

[Dalit]

If by some chance India does get an assembly line of F16s from the U.S to supply global customers, it would be a huge slap in the face of India. India will be only the manufacturer, and won't have a say in who they make the jets for. If Pakistan orders some fighters from Lockheed and India is asked to manufacture them, imagine the public out lash there; India is making a front line jet that will be aimed directly at them. It will be a political suicide.
India won't able to refuse the order as they would just be the manufacturers, neither could they be sly and install a dodgy component as that would be a breach of contract. Imagine the lawsuit! India will be forced to make the plane, knowing that each of these components would be used to drop bombs on them in the unlikely case of an outright war. Then, they'll have to deliver it, after testing that all the systems are in optimal condition to attack their own country, with an obligatory customer- client smile.

I wouldn't buy a Lego brick produced in India. Let alone an F-16. They have terrible track record.

 

[cloud4000]

If by some chance India does get an assembly line of F16s from the U.S to supply global customers, it would be a huge slap in the face of India. India will be only the manufacturer, and won't have a say in who they make the jets for. If Pakistan orders some fighters from Lockheed and India is asked to manufacture them, imagine the public out lash there; India is making a front line jet that will be aimed directly at them. It will be a political suicide.
India won't able to refuse the order as they would just be the manufacturers, neither could they be sly and install a dodgy component as that would be a breach of contract. Imagine the lawsuit! India will be forced to make the plane, knowing that each of these components would be used to drop bombs on them in the unlikely case of an outright war. Then, they'll have to deliver it, after testing that all the systems are in optimal condition to attack their own country, with an obligatory customer- client smile.

What are you smoking? The F-16 line being proposed for India is for India only, no one else. Even though Lockheed Martin will shut down F-16 production in US, the supply line will still be opened. Plenty of F-16 operators still out there who will still be sourcing their parts from US or designated suppliers.

No doubt some might source their parts from India, but India doesn't have exclusivity on it. As for Pakistan's F-16s, it will continue to be serviced by Turkey. So no worries on that front.

Let them get the manufacturing unit. Would be easy for us to import the parts through backdoor channels. Don't forget Indians have the habit to sell their country for money. They have often sold uranium and other nuclear materials illegally.

You mean like AQ Khan?

 

[Hassan Guy]

India and lap dog first see the size of India and then comment. In next 30 years India will outflank US in economic might.