Make in India: Lockheed Martin proposes game changing defense partnership with India; Find out

Lockheed Martin has said it has proposed a "game-changing" partnership with India.

American defence manufacturing company Lockheed Martin is focusing on a greater pie in India's massive military modernisation. (AFP/Getty)

New Delhi: American defence manufacturing company Lockheed Martin is focusing on a greater pie in India's massive military modernisation. The company has said it has proposed a "game-changing" partnership with our country. It has offered to shift its F-16 production line from the United States to India! This potentially comes as a big boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India project. This will not only help in creating a defence industrial base but also generate jobs for the thousands of youth entering the workforce each month. Vivek Lall, vice president, Aeronautics Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin said the company is proposing game-changing defense partnerships that benefit multiple stakeholders not only in India but also in the US and beyond. Lall further asserted that the company had demonstrated this commitment by announcing last September that it will partner with Tata to produce F-16 wings in India for future customers. He was quoted by PTI as saying, "This landmark 'Make in India' partnership is a natural next step that builds on our successful partnerships with Tata on the C-130J airlifter and other premiere defence and aerospace platforms." "We're also engaging with numerous others in India, the US and beyond to unleash the power of partnership and Indian innovation. We're very excited about all of the potential we see in India," he added. Lockheed Martin is also planning to participate in the Indian Navy's move to acquire 111 utility helicopters. The S-76D helicopter is the right platform for the India Naval Utility Helicopter programme, he said. When asked about the status of 24 helicopters for the Indian Navy, Lall said the Indian government had issued a Letter of Request (LOR) for Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to the US government for the acquisition of 24 MH-60R helicopters. The US Navy is preparing its response, which is expected to be delivered shortly, he added.