Lockheed Martin CEO to meet Modi next Week to push for F-16 Sale

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

SOURCE: THE HINDU

US-based fighter jet maker Lockheed Martin’s CEO Marillyn Hewson is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi next week to discuss her company’s future plans, including the proposed manufacture of F-16 aircrafts as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Hewson and her team of top officials will also meet Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, an official from the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion toldBusinessLine.

“Hewson is scheduled to be in New Delhi on March 7-8 and is expected to meet both the Prime Minister and the Commerce and Industry Minister. The company has big plans for India including manufacture of F-16 fighter jets,” the official said.

Earlier this month, chief executive of Lockheed Martin India, Phil Shaw, told reporters that the company was ready to manufacture F-16 aircrafts here but he did not specify a time-frame.

While India’s low-cost capabilities and engineering skills can make the manufacturing of F-16 cost-competitive, Lockheed Martin is reportedly looking for contractual commitment for its fighter jets from the Indian government.

Lockheed Martin, which has been present in India for the last two decades, supplied six C130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft to India in 2011. It is also scheduled to deliver six helicopters in 2017.

 

[barbarosa]

India should accept this offer.

 

[Parul]

He can enjoy with PM and Commerce & Industry Minister.

 

[Armstrong]

He can enjoy with PM and Commerce & Industry Minister.

Bandaa humein bhiii kabhiii pilaa detaa haiii !

Waisee bhiii jubbb pichliii dafaa bulayaa thaaa to aap khud hiii sareiii biscuits khaaa gaiii !

 

[PARIKRAMA]

LM CEO will have a good cup of tea specially made by PM NaMo. He can have tea and talk whatever he wants..

But we wont buy F16s...

 

[Blue Marlin]

LM CEO will have a good cup of tea specially made by PM NaMo. He can have tea and talk whatever he wants..

But we wont buy F16s...

maybe thats why she's going to india..... for tea. is indian tea any good?
but your still getting c130's and chopper's from them so its not all tea and biscuits

 

[kmc_chacko]

India should accept this offer.

and have some

 

[sasum]

LM CEO will have a good cup of tea specially made by PM NaMo. He can have tea and talk whatever he wants..

But we wont buy F16s...

If it is a 100% FDI from Lockheed, and they buy back/ export the entire production, we Indians can consider. At least the venture will generate employment and some revenue to Govt. But the bigger question is who will buy Viper? Countries all over the world are phasing out F-16.

 

[kmc_chacko]

maybe thats why she's going to india..... for tea. is indian tea any good?
but your still getting c130's and chopper's from them so its not all tea and biscuits

if he offers something we can refuse then, ok otherwise

If it is a 100% FDI from Lockheed, and they buy back/ export the entire production, we Indians can consider. At least the venture will generate employment and some revenue to Govt. But the bigger question is who will buy Viper? Countries all over the world are phasing out F-16.

Pakistan

 

[Abingdonboy]

IAF has 0 interest in this outdated machine that comes with all sorts of strings attatched that would kill off the LCA.

 

[Blue Marlin]

if he offers something we can refuse then, ok otherwise

th LM ceo is a female, i think your getting Sikorsky choppers from lm, who just acquired Sikorsky. and more c130's

 

[sathya]

That s a big drop tank

India does not want USA to sell F16 to pak and also for itself ..

USA trying to do both..

 

[Abingdonboy]

th LM ceo is a female, i think your getting Sikorsky choppers from lm, who just acquired Sikorsky. and more c130's

Posters are talking exclusively about the proposal to sell F-16s to India which is a complete non-starter, there is a lot of other areas where LM will do business with India.

Hopefully the LM CEO discusses something more useful like a C-130XJ line in India instead of the F-16s @PARIKRAMA

 

[Blue Marlin]

Posters are talking exclusively about the proposal to sell F-16s to India which is a complete non-starter, there is a lot of other areas where LM will do business with India.

Hopefully the LM CEO discusses something more useful like a C-130XJ line in India instead of the F-16s @PARIKRAMA

honestly it wont happen even if they do hypothetically agree to buy it. it's a tool of foreign policy. congress will block it.
the f18 however... yes. the c-130xj i not now heard much of. has it been developed or is it still a concept?

 

[Abingdonboy]

honestly it wont happen even if they do hypothetically agree to buy it. it's a tool of foreign policy. congress will block it.

Why would Congress oppose it? Both parties are incredibly pro-India and would love to pawn off this outdated product on them.

the f18 however... yes

Has a slghtly better chance than the F-16, so around 3%.

the c-130xj i not now heard much of. has it been developed or is it still a concept?

It is still a concept awaiting international orders but there is little to devlop it is basically a stripped down C-130J, the IAF has a rathe rlarge requirement to replace the 100+ An-32s and with the MTA nowhere to be seen the C-130XJ made in India would suit them well.